National Poetry Month

The American Library Association’s National Poetry Month poster this year features Maryland’s first African American Poet Laureate of Maryland, and just the second woman to hold the position, Lucille Clifton. The lines come from her poem, blessing the boats. She visited Washington College and gave a talk and poetry reading in March 1989 and received an Honorary Doctor of Letters in the 1989 commencement ceremony.

From our archives, we have a series of postcards created in Washington College’s own O’Neill Literary House. One features the quote: “Oh, for Christ’s sake one doesn’t study poets! You read them, and think, that’s marvellous, how is it done, could I do it? And thats how you learn.” -- Philip Larkin. 

In the spirit of those teachings, please take the time to read some poetry this month. I have, of course, some suggestions, all published by The Literary House Press at Washington College. 

From our Washington College Authors collection on the main floor of the library is the book “Dotting the Eye and Crossing the Tea” written by three 2008 graduates, Lindsay Lusby, Marian Robbins, and Emma Sovich, published and printed by The Literary House Press at Washington College.  

I would also like to recommend “Time in Transit” by David Sanders in our Rare Book Room. Of note is the poem, “Here, Now” where the author laments on seeing a couple of punk rock kids.  

Finally, “Gilbert Byron, Selected Poems” features the poems of Gilbert Byron, “The Thoreau of the Eastern Shore.” I would like to recommend, on this April day for you to read “This early April day.”