BLOOM! Celebrate National Poetry Month in Pike

Pike will celebrate National Poetry Month with the theme of Bloom! this April with events that foster a love of reading and writing poetry. Events include writing workshops, poetry reading, a book signing and Pop-Up Poetry stations.

“Our celebration is made possible through Pike County Schools’ L4GA Grant, which provides funding to bring literacy events to our community,” said Dr. Kim Johnson, District Literacy Specialist with Pike County Schools. “Please come join us as we celebrate National Poetry Month in Pike County!”

Clayton Moon, a teacher in Pike County Schools, will be the featured poet for the progressive poetry walk. His poem “The Kiss of a Flutter’s Eye” will begin at the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and will be segmented into stanzas along the courthouse square for readers to enjoy in sections as they stroll. Olivia Mitchell, a graduate of Pike County Schools, illustrated the poetry walk pages.

“Story Walks are becoming increasingly popular in cities throughout the nation, and we welcome the opportunity to introduce a progressive poetry walk with two of Pike’s own talented artists on these pages,” said Dr. Johnson.

Other events will include a Hashtag Acrostic writing workshop from 4 to 5 p.m. April 12 at Williamson Library; a Paint Chip Poetry writing workshop from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. April 13 at the J. Joel Edwards Public Library; a book signing with Clayton Moon at A Novel Experience from 5 to 6:30 p.m. April 14, a poetry reading with poets Ethan Jacobs and Clayton Moon at 1828 Coffee Company at 6:30 p.m. April 19; and Pop-Up Poetry experiences in A Novel Experience, Williamson Library, J. Joel Edwards Library and the 1828 Coffee Company.

“These writing opportunities will feature short videos that can be scanned for instructions, along with a community platform where writers can share their poetry from each Pop-Up Poetry station,” said Dr. Johnson. “I’m hoping that we have made poetry reading and writing accessible for all ages and stages – from children to seniors, from the reluctant to the enthusiastic.”

For more, call Dr. Kim Johnson at 770-567-8489.