Verses that Inspire: Poetry Month and Poetry Contest with Grand Prize!

WRITERS: DANIYAH RIZWAN & SUVATHINI VIJAYARATNAM

April is National Poetry Month! Established in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, Poetry Month soon made its way to Canada becoming nationally recognized here in 1998. The idea was to bring awareness to and celebrate the history, beauty and art of poetry, allowing us to look upon it as a rhythmic form of expression for love and thought.

Poetry dates back to caveman times, from roughly 1200-3000 B.C. Pieces of scripture and writings from this time can be found throughout the world, from France to China to India. This art of writing has been around for longer than you know it, being used to tell stories, legends, and myths. During the 15th and 17th century is when poetry made its revival, and one of the most famous poets of all time, William Shakespeare, started his career in literature.

To this day, William Shakespeare remains one of the most well-known authors to exist. Having written classics such as "Romeo and Juliet" and "Macbeth". His poetry, playwriting and scripts have made their way through generations, and his tragedies still touch the hearts of those who read his literature today. Following up a few centuries later is Edgar Allan Poe, the creator of the short story. His poetry and stories had an eerie feeling that left people at the edge of their seats, his most notable works being “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Fall of the House of Usher”. Poe and Shakespeare remain two of the most popular poets in history. Trailing not too far behind is Emily Dickinson. Dickinson’s work in poetry was not as well known until after her death; her life remains a mystery. Even with that, she is known as one of the most original writers, her work focusing on the themes of death and nature, her most famous being “Hope is the Thing with Feathers”. Going into more recent poetry from the last century, Maya Angelou was a poet, as well as a civil rights activist, her work often explores themes of identity and resilience, especially in her autobiography “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings”. These poets as well as many more have truly shaped what poetry is today.

Poetry has evolved from generation to generation, each piece being unique from every other. However, the beauty of poetry remains the same, and this month is the time to truly acknowledge its art, its past and its future.

This is why we have officially started a poetry contest to bring attention to the talent of poetry the students of St. Marcellinus hold. Click the Google form to submit a piece of poetry on a topic of your choice. We will be choosing the best one and as a prize, you will receive a $10 Tim Hortons gift card and a feature on Spirit Times. Submit your best pieces in the Google form below!

https://forms.gle/gKtSsDoAuVz68qjq9