April is National Poetry Month, and Baxter Memorial Library in Sharon, Vermont is offering lots of poetry-related programs all month long, including displays of poetry for kids and adults, a create-your-own-blackout-poem station, and a bulletin board full of short poems that that you can grab and keep in your pocket to read throughout the day!  (Sure, “Poem in Your Pocket Day” isn’t until April 29, but why not celebrate all month long with a poem by Langston Hughes or Emily Dickinson or Naomi Shihab Nye?)  We’ve also got a few poetry-related events in store:

On Tuesday, April 11 at 6pm, long-time Upper Valley educator, playwright, and poet Alan Haehnel will perform “My Ode to Joy.”  Haehnel’s dynamic spoken word poetry highlights the variety, drama, music, and overall excitement that can come from poetry, and his presentations have earned high praise from attendees throughout the UV.

On Thursday, April 27 at 6pm, the library will host an Open Mic Night.  We’re not limiting it to poetry, though; we invite you to share your music, dancing comedy, storytelling, poetry – or anything else that sparks you!  Or, just come to watch and support your community.  ALL AGES are welcome.  Please email the library at sharonbaxterlibrary@gmail.com if you’d like to perform.

And, of course, poets are always welcome on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month to join Shana Ronayne Hickman, librarian and author of Writing Through the Fog: Techniques for Outwitting Brain Fog and Reclaiming Our Writing Lives, for an evening of writing exercises, prompts, and encouragement. This is an in-person event at the library designed to help patrons unlock their creative potential. Participants will engage in fun idea generating exercises and work together to get results and find joy in the writing process. All writers of any genre and experience level are welcome. If you’re curious, come check it out!  Attendees will also have the opportunity to share their work with the group in an encouraging and supportive environment.  Bring a journal or laptop.  Masks are required for this program.