Poetry Month & Reader Submissions

by Ashmita Annamalai, Alda Nasywa, & Juee Deshmukh, Edited by Manushri Bapat, Myint Myat Theingi, & Mridula Divakar, Art by Sharon Pan, Layout by Sahithi Lingampalli, & Blogged by Sahithi Lingampalli

The word “poetry” derives from the Greek and it means to “make”. Poetry is a genre of literature that uses an aesthetic language quality which is bound by its elements, such as rhythm, mantra, rhyme, line, and verse. Poetry is also considered as an expression of emotions, imagination, ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

Poetry is estimated to have first appeared between 15000 and 13000 BC. Early usage of poetry has been a key part of ancient holy books. Some sources claim poetry was even used in the times of cavemen -- though they are well-known for their primary use of pictures. Ever since the end of the 14th century, Chaucer has been known as the Father of English poetry.

Poetry is closely related to musical traditions and ancient poetry is believed to have been read or sung as a means of remembering history, genealogy and law, as recorded in many famous translated works such as The Odyssey.

Inspired by the successful celebrations of Black History Month (February) and Women's History Month (March), a celebration of poetry takes place each April. In 1996, the Academy of American Poets was established to celebrate the amazing wealth of emotions, humor and human experience found in poetry and hope that with Poetry Month, there would be an increase in awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States.

Five Ways to celebrate Poetry Month:

1. Sign Up for a Poem a Day

2. Share a Poem

3. Watch a Poetry Reading

4. Do Some Poetry Exercises

5. Write a Poem of Your Own

Of course, you don't have to only celebrate poetry in April. National Poetry Month is just one of the many programs that American Academy of Poets launched in order to raise awareness . Therefore, to keep the celebration going, consider other programs or becoming a member of the American Academy of Poets and enjoying literary opportunities throughout the year.

Below is a brief background on three notable poets:

Amanda Gorman

Amanda S.C Gorman was born in Los Angeles, California. She is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S history; her work has gotten her invitations to perform for famous people like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Al Gore, Hilary Clinton, Malala Yousafzai, and more. Gorman recited her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” at Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20th, 2021. The hill symbolizes the rough path that the United States climbed socially and politically. Gorman is an inspiration for young women and people of color, and her empowering literature sheds light on issues of all sorts.

Nikki Giovanni

Nikki Giovanni is a poet and children’s author born in Knoxville, Tennessee. Growing up, she had access to authors such as Richard Wright and Langston Hughes. Giovanni’s most admired poem, “Nikki-Rosa,” is a “reminisce of her childhood in a close-knit African American home” (Poetry Foundation). “Nikki-Rosa” broadened her appeal and was published in Black Judgement. Nikki Giovanni earned multiple awards in her lifetime and used her literature to spread messages to society regarding the Civil Rights Movement.

T.S Eliot

Thomas Stearns Eliot was a poet and critic born in St. Louis, Missouri. His highly regarded poem, “The Waste Land,” talks about London’s aftermath succeeding the first World War. Many of Eliot’s poems express the adversity of a World War I generation with Victorian-era morals. T.S Eliot has successfully and authentically portrayed feelings of the early 1900s, making him a remarkable poet.

Not all remarkable poets have to be famous. In honor of poetry month, we had our magazine audience submit their own beautiful poetry. You can read them below. Enjoy!

References

5 Ways to Celebrate World Poetry Day: Proofed's Writing Tips. Proofed. (2021, February 25). https://getproofed.com/writing-tips/5-ways-to-celebrate-world-poetry-day/.

Academy of American Poets. (2021). National Poetry Month. Poets.org. https://poets.org/national-poetry-month/.

Academy of American Poets. (n.d.). About T.S. Eliot. Poets.org. https://poets.org/poet/t-s-eliot.

Amanda Gorman. (n.d.). https://www.theamandagorman.com/.

Biography. Nikki Giovanni. (n.d.). https://nikki-giovanni.com/biography/.

Poetry Foundation. (n.d.). Nikki Giovanni. Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/nikki-giovanni#:~:text=The%20prose%20poem%20%E2%80%9CNikki%2DRosa,beloved%20and%20most%20anthologized%20work.

Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, April 20). Poetry. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poetry.

Reader Submissions

Scream of Silence

By Adrija Jana (16) - West Bengal, India

The sickly sweet smell of excess male perfume The strong rotten smell of drunken breath Assault her senses A brutal assault He comes closer

She's suffering from the cramps of her monthly cycle She's tired from the hard labour of the household She shakes her head no It goes unnoticed He comes closer

It is unravelling She starts chanting "No, no, no" like a mantra Deaf ears are oblivious The back of her knees hit the bed He comes closer.

She screams "No!" But the hand is strong, too strong The scream is muffled, the tears are free But water can't soak a rock A few bangles break The shards jabbing into her heart, twisting Rivulets of blood flow out More bangles break Bangles tight and loose He comes closer.

She screams no more It's eerily silent She's no more with him She's lying on her father's lap She's playing with her little brother She's reading his very first love letter- "I'll never let any pain touch you..." He comes closer.

The thread breaks Was it weak? Who knows? Maybe, beaten down And worn out through the years Now it is no more.

My History Textbook

By Catherine Rasgaitis (16) - Washington, United States of America

My history textbook Looks a thousand years old, It’s crumbling to pieces And it’s even growing mold!

The cover is so worn You can barely read the title, The pages all fell out And that’s why I failed the final.

Spark a Light of Hope!

by Vasundhara Choudhary (16) - Chandigarh, India

Whenever you feel there is no hope left! Remember on a foggy day the sun, the moon and stars also had no hope! Remember in winter season the snow covered grassland also had no hope! Remember in autumn season the tree without any leaf also had no hope! Remember the caterpillar who was about to become a butterfly also had no hope! But all of them shined, blossomed, bloomed and bounced back in an incredible manner! Just because they still had faith on themselves and the almighty! There's always sunshine after storm! You just have to be faithful and patient!

A memory from Camboja

by Stephânia Moinhos Garcia (18) - São Paulo, Brazil

There was this guy That stepped on a landmine His friend ran to the village To tell his mom about the damage He went there and said That he saw him dead She let herself cry But she knew, deep inside, Those were the scars of a war Nobody wanted anymore It took men and sons Destroyed the beloved ones But it wouldn’t matter for much time As days later she would also die Because of a shooting in the village And from the woman rested only the image Of one more victim Of the sick system

City of Broken Dreams

by Mridula Divakar (17) - Michigan, United States of America

Welcome to the city of broken dreams, Where nightmares freely roam the streets, For At the junction of Shattered and Hope You will see the blood of our children Etched into the road, For At the intersection of Fear and Government You will see our women Full stripped of consent, For At the terminal of Religion and Tolerance You will see men Discussing each other's Murders in conference. But the worst of it all lies at DoNothing and Passerbys, Where you stand as the Real culprits, willingly turning a blind eye.

Caged

by Sanam Marjan (16) - Dhaka, Bangladesh

I have seen my loved one drowse into temptations and freedom;

Staying out, Speaking whatever came out of them Wearing things I wasn't allowed to touch Living their lives to the fullest;

I have seen my same reflection onto the Mirrors of my room,

I have seen my shadow dance across the enclosed walls,

I have heard the echoes of my voice against my head Shouting to get out.

My soul ached while craving to be touched, Dry eyes dying in the dire need of tears,

'Someone get me out from my mother's rib cage Someone get me out from my father's expectations Someone get me out from the portrayal of perfection played to my sister, I am losing my air--'

I screamed Deep inside me knowing How they shouldn't hear, if they did, if I get caught I would lose, The last freedom of thoughts

I am alive But from my mind

Waiting for the labyrinthine of protection to end Holding onto life knowing my time will come.

But I don't know how to act when I get everything I once cried for and done,

Because bird with stones trampled onto its wings Never got to know how to fly,

Dying in the hands of their prey the next minute that they are out and alive

Caged.

Art by Sharon Pan