A POSTER FOR NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
In preparation for April's National Poetry Month, The Academy of American Poets recently unveiled their 2013 National Poetry Month poster. Graphic artist Jessica Helfand designed the poster to echo this year’s celebration of “the important and enriching role that letter writing has played in the lives of poets.” I wanted to share it here because I think it's beautiful and thought-provoking:
I think the poster is quite striking. I love how, from a distance, the poster looks vintage, intriguing, and maybe a bit random, but upon closer look, the intricacies of each piece quilted together create something structured and significant, essential even – echoing how each word in poetry works, I think. Look at that amazing postcard penmanship, the rich colors of the print ink, the shape and feel of the primer letters and numbers in the corner. Can you just feel and smell the dusty paper, taste the cool metal weight of one of those pens on your lips as you think of that just-right phrase? There are tickets, envelopes, an invitation. It seems to say: “Look where we’ve gone, what we’ve been, how we’ve operated. Where might we go, what will be, how it will happen?” So much poetic goodness.
If you click on the poster, the link will take you to the Academy of American Poets site where there are many wonderful Poetry Month activities already planned, and if you're organizing any Poetry Month events, you may request a free poster!
More about poetry:
For Verseday today, Gabrielle Prendergast is welcoming verse novelist Carolee Dean at versenovels.com
Tomorrow, Poetry Friday is being hosted by April Halprin Wayland at Teaching Authors
Art, Poetry, Poetry Friday, Verseday 
Reader Comments (2)
This poster is lovely, Tamera! Thank you for sharing it with us and pointing out the poetic resonance it possesses. I still prefer letters and postcards to all things electronic - but it is hard to not be a part of the e-world we live in. Maybe a balance of the two is best? Happy Friday! =)
Reply:
Thank you for visiting, Bridget! I'm with you, I love sending and receiving letters and I think you have the right idea - we need to balance the two.
That's a great-looking poster! The sort that it is nice to spend some time poring over. (The pens, the seal, the penmanship, the Rilke!)
Reply:
Thanks for visiting, Tabatha! This poster has been a pleasure to pour over - glad you enjoyed it, too.