What kind of poet are you? Do you like writing with a strong sense of rhythm and cadence, in sync with the pulse and beat of a song? Or would you rather express yourself through metaphors and powerful images that light up the imagination?
In April, commemorated as National Poetry Month, we explore these questions and the expressive powers of poetic language. Poetry exists in a wide range of forms, from the epic poems of ancient civilizations to the lyrical lines of our best modern teen poets. When we read the epic poems of Homer, we are transported to Ancient Greece and get a sense of their mythopoetic understanding of the world, however different it may be from our modern point of view. Similarly, when we the read the words of some of our best teen poets today, we are transported into their minds and appreciate their experiences as if they were our own.
What can you learn from these great writers and works to develop your own voice? Learn about the history and forms of poetry in Encyclopedia Britannica and Granger’s World of Poetry. Visit the Teen’s eReading Room in Libby to read current teen poetry.
References:
“Poetry.” Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 21 Mar. 2025. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/poetry/276478. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Resources:
Encyclopedia Britannica School Edition: Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | About Privacy & Terms
Granger’s World of Poetry: Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | About Privacy & Terms
Libby by Overdrive: Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | About Privacy & Terms