Throughout the month of April, the Charleston County Public Library is celebrating National Poetry Month with writing sessions for creatives, poetry contests, book lists and more. Whether you visit a library branch or check out our digital resources online, there are many ways to dive into a poem or explore new library resources.
National Poetry Month is a literary celebration that highlights the integral role that poets play in our culture and reminds people that poetry matters, according to poets.org. The month-long celebration was launched by the Academy of American Poets in 1996.
Poetry writing contests
Love writing? Test out your skills with a contest at the Cynthia Graham Hurd/St. Andrews Library in honor of National Poetry Month. For children in grades K-5, pick up an information sheet at the Children’s Desk at the branch. Submissions must be turned in by Saturday, April 30 at 5 p.m. The winner in each grade bracket will receive a prize!
Poetry workshops
The Children’s Department at the Hurd/St. Andrews Library is hosting a small-group writer’s workshop on Monday, April 11 at 10:30 a.m. for children in grades 3-5. This workshop will be led by a former English teacher. Registration is required. Sign-up here.
The Otranto Road Library is hosting the following poetry sessions:
Writing Session for Creatives |Thursday, April 7 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
It is time to be inspired. Stimulate your imagination with writing prompts. Who knows how the story could end?
Share with Support | Thursday, April 14 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Looking for feedback on your writing? Come share your literary work with other locals who share the same love.
Share your poems
Visit the Otranto Road Library for an open mic live show of spoken words, comedy and storytelling. Light refreshments will be served. This is taking place on Thursday, April 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Throughout April, children can write a poem and submit it at the Otranto Road Library’s children’s desk for entry in the Otranto Children’s Poetry Book.
Explore poetry books
Visit a library branch or CCPL’s catalog to explore our selection of poetry books or browse our digital collection by downloading the Libby App by Overdrive.
Poetry contest winner spotlight
Hayes first dabbled in writing poetry as a teen growing up in Washington, D.C. and throughout the years sporadically found opportunities to hone her interest and ability in creative writing.
As with many writers, Hayes’ inspiration comes from various sources and it's in the organization and expression of her ideas that her spirit blossoms. In addition to her job as a veteran school bus driver, Hayes is a wife and mother of two adult children. You can read the poem she submitted below:
Stolen from the motherland and brought to the unfamiliar territory of another, the African American experience is like no other. My ancestors were hunted, shackled and chained. Forcefully made to endure overwhelming distraught generated by unthinkable physical and psychological brutality.
Black history in America is a reflection of an attempt to degrade, demoralize, and dehumanize a people who, to say the least, were misunderstood and seen as unequal, inferior, and even a threat. Who we are today is rooted in who they were then, and we've taken that strength and ran with it!
Our greatest achievements in varying disciplines are a testament to the mighty stock from whence we come. We honor those who've fought the hard battles and made the ultimate sacrifice, and we nudge the hearts of our brothers and sisters to say quitting at anything is not an option for we stand on the strength of our esteemed forefathers who endured unrelenting obstacles for a chance at success.
Our roots run deeply, and they grow even deeper each time the torch of identity, pride, and integrity is passed on to succeeding generations. As beautifully diverse as we are in complexion, our level of intelligence goes exceedingly far beyond expectation and our spirit shall never cease to remember our plight as a race in America.