At the library I noticed a prominent display of poetry books for NATIONAL POETRY MONTH.
You would think there were a gazillion months instead of just twelve on the calender since we seem to have so very many months dedicated to subject matter.
Even though I think there should be more holidays that require people to stay home from work and/or have three day weekends - which would decrease traffic, increase tourism, and prevent more burnout and heart attacks from crummy jobs, Monday morning being the big "I can't take another day of that ass at work so I'll have a heart attack day", I still feel kind of negative about the Hallmarkisation of the yearly calender.
To the point, do we need months dedicated to Poetry, or African American History, or whatever? Is this all between Dollar Tree Stores (and the like) and school teachers who use their salaries to supplement student's art supplies and decorations for bulletin boards in the classroom? You know, suddenly Saint Patricks Day, which is for the Irish, which I'm not, is the cause for buying green crap from China.
Are the same people who brought you Mother's Day and Secretary Day and Doggie Day behind everything for girls being PINK and everthing for boys being BLUE? Good thing I don't have a child, because I would have to choose YELLOW or GREEN.
DO YOU ONLY READ POETRY BECAUSE IT'S NATIONAL POETRY MONTH?
If so, then I feel sorry for you.
POETRY SHOULD BE READ when you are in a MOOD. In particular it is very good for indulging the emotions. If you don't get torn up or twisted around by an ah ha moment reading poetry, maybe you never will.
I've picked up copies of MARY OLIVER'S A THOUSAND MORNINGS and LATER POEMS (1971-2012) by ADRIENNE RICH since these are poets I read in college. Hmm... a favorite poem?
C 2013 All Rights Reserved Christine Trzyna / Christine Trzyna Writerly Life
