Who Reads Poetry? (You, I Hope)

As you know (and if you don’t, play along here), it’s National Poetry Month. Usually when months are themed, there’s a cause that is not getting its due attention. By dedicating a month to a cause, there is a passionate (albeit a bit desperate) attempt at work to concentrated attention, education and awareness.

March is Women’s History Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

February is African American History Month

June is Fireworks Safety Month.

December is Toys for Tots Month.

Poetry seems odd when coupled alongside these. Though National Poetry Month does not directly address aspects of poverty, disease, or oppression, poetry can and often addresses such topics. Poetry is a powerful medium, a political tool, and an essential emotional outlet; poetry is for everyone.

Take a trip to LoDo Tattered Cover (1628 16th St, Denver, CO 80202) Thursday, April 12th at 7pm for a reading where you are sure to experience the universal-likability of poetry. Directly following the reading you will have the opportunity to  to either participate in or simply observe a discussion of poetry’s contemporary cultural prevalence.

“This collection brings together fifty compelling pieces, which are in turns surprising, provocative, touching, and funny. Who Reads Poetry offers a truly unique and broad selection of perspectives and reflections, proving that poetry can be read by everyone. No matter what you’re seeking, you can find it within the lines of a poem.” — Tattered Cover Event Page

Fred Sasaki, art director for Poetry magazine and gallery curator for the Poetry Foundation, will discuss and sign Who Reads Poetry: 50 Views from “Poetry” Magazine ($24.00 University of Chicago Press) with guest poets Mairead Case and Sueyeun Juliette Lee.

Bianca Glinskas

Bianca Glinskas hails from sunny Southern California, where she studied English and Creative Writing at California State University of Long Beach.  Bianca's work has appeared in literary magazines including Knock Your Socks Off, Ordinary Madness, and Glass Mountain Magazine. Bianca's column arose as a natural attempt to answer the call of Denver's lively, pulsating literary scene. When she isn't reading or writing, Bianca enjoys doing yoga, playing viola, exploring the outdoors, drinking at breweries, and holing up in coffee shops for hours on end. For any inquiries regarding Bianca's coverage of Denver's literary scene, please do not hesitate to contact her directly at bglinskas@gmail.com.