April is National Poetry Month, but frankly, you should already have known that. Certainly, you should be thinking of how you will be supporting poetry in your community.

I took advantage of my local Borders closing to purchase Robert Hass’ collection Time and Materials. I figured that I would bring it when he reads on May 21. Things are a little tight, so this may be my sole poetry purchase for the month (or maybe not – I’ve got some Barnes & Noble gift cards I haven’t tapped out yet, plus store credit at my favorite local used bookstore, Capitol Hill Books).

Naomi Shihab Nye is reading at the Folger in a week and I don’t like to miss those – especially during National Poetry Month. The next day, Language Poet Kit Robinson is reading at Bridge Street Books. To be quite honest, if it’s a choice between the two, I would probably prioritize Kit Robinson.

Maybe I’ll use my B&N gift card to pick up something by Nye (since Robinson is reading at Bridge Street Books, it seems downright shameful to show up with a book purchased at a chain bookstore). While it won’t help me support either of these poets, I could check the nifty poetry room at Capitol Hill Books and trade in my credit for something poetic.