The Academy of American Poets offers 30 ways to celebrate poetry. Here are a few examples:
THE POETRY OF KABBALAH : mystical verse from the Jewish tradition / translated and annotated by Peter Cole ; co-edited and with an afterword by Aminadav Dykman.
BICYCLES: LOVE POEMS by Nikki Giovanni
ANGLES OF ASCENT: A NORTON ANTHOLOGY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN POETRY/ edited by Charles Henry Rowell.
I AM THE DARKER BROTHER; AN ANTHOLOGY OF MODERN POEMS BY AFRICAN-AMERICANS edited by Arnold Adoff, illustrated by Benny Andrews, with an introduction by Nikki Giovanni Many times, many voices.
LISTEN UP!: SPOKEN WORD POETRY edited by Zoë Anglesey Nine lives, nine voices.
COOL SALSA: BILINGUAL POEMS ON GROWING UP LATINO IN THE UNITED STATES edited by Lori M. Carlson A fiesta of colors and flavors.
I WOULDN'T THANK YOU FOR A VALENTINE: POEMS FOR YOUNG FEMINISTS edited by Carol Ann Duffy Girl poems that kick…
THE SPOKEN WORD REVOLUTION: SLAM, HIP-HOP AND THE POETRY OF A NEW GENERATION edited by Mark Eleveld Includes a CD.
ROOM ENOUGH FOR LOVE: POEMS: THE COMPLETE POEMS FROM I AM WINGS AND BURIED ALIVE by Ralph J. Fletcher Falling in and out of love.
HOWL AND OTHER POEMS by Allen Ginsberg Crazy beatnik poetry.
THE DREAM KEEPER AND OTHER POEMS by Langston Hughes, illustrated by Brian Pinkney Powerfully simple.
MOVIN': TEEN POETS TAKE VOICE edited by Dave Johnson Ear catching.
WHAT HAVE YOU LOST? poems selected by Naomi Shihab Nye Over 100 different poems explore many different types of loss by 140 international and never-before published poets.
19 VARIETIES OF GAZELLE: POEMS OF THE MIDDLE EAST by Naomi Shihab Nye The author writes about her experiences as an Arab-American, and of visiting the Middle East.
A ROCK AGAINST THE WIND: AFRICAN-AMERICAN POEMS AND LETTERS OF LOVE AND PASSION edited by Lindsay Patterson, foreword by Ruby Dee Vision of Love and Lust.
EARTH-SHATTERING POEMS edited by Liz Rosenberg An all-encompassing introduction to poetry from around the world and from many cultures.
THE HAIKU YEAR edited by Michael Stipe Haiku from the edge.
THE HOUSE THAT CRACK BUILT by Clark Taylor, illustrated by Jan Thompson Dicks Powerful beat depicts a harsh reality.
THE PAIN TREE, AND OTHER TEENAGE ANGST-RIDDEN POETRY by Esther Pearl Watson and Mark Todd Dramatic. Despairing. Hopeful?
SLAM edited by Cecily Von Ziegesar; foreword by Tori Amos Poetry out loud!
The Best American Poetry (Various editors): Published from 1988 to the present, this popular periodical seeks to identify the work of America's top poets for a given year. 811.54 BEST
Picture yourself writing poetry : using photos to inspire writing / by Laura Purdie Salas.
A Rocket in My Pocket: The Rhymes and Chants of Young Americans by Carl Withers: "More than 400 jingles, riddles, chants and rhymes comprise this collection of contemporary folklore". (Publisher's Weekly) J 811.08 WIT
Ferocious Girls, Steamroller Boys, and Other Poems In Between by Timothy Bush: "A zany handful of poems describe both the typical and the unusual casts of characters." (Kirkus Reviews) J 811.54 BUS
Hey You! C'Mere! : A Poetry Slam by Elizabeth Swados: "Swados's theatrical flair and storytelling skills are evident in this collection of free-verse, rap-style poems". (School Library Journal) J 811.54 SWADOS
Just Around the Corner: Poems by James Stevenson: "Take a stroll through friendly, familiar neighborhoods, where unexpected viewpoints await around every corner. The latest "corn book" from wordsmith and artist James Stevenson (following Cornflakes, Candy Corn, Sweet Corn, and Popcorn) examines the minutiae of the regular old world." (Amazon.com) J 811.54 STE
Remember the Bridge: Poems of a People by Carole Boston Weatherford: "Striking archival engravings and photographs accompany these twenty-nine original poems, taking the reader on a journey of over 400 years on the African American road to freedom." (Book Description) J 811.54 WEATHERFORD
Rim Shots: Basketball Pix, Rolls, and Rhymes by Charles R. Smith, Jr.: "The endlessly energetic design is the most valuable player in this passionate, idiosyncratic collection of basketball photos, anecdotes, poems and reflections." (Publishers Weekly) J 808.8 SMITH
Wild Country: Outdoor Poems for Yound People by David Lee Harrison: "In this collection of 47 free-verse poems, Harrison offers a tour of four areas: mountains, the high country, forests, and the sea. These selections evoke clear images that invite readers to observe and to marvel at some of the wilder regions of our natural world." (Library Journal) J 811.54 HAR
There are literally thousands of poetry sites where the budding or established poet can can connect with other poets, get some honest opinions, enter contests, and publish online. Here are a few to get you started.