National Poetry Month kicks off at Revelstoke Library

Okanagan Regional Library Revelstoke is celebrating National Poetry Month with a selection of poetry collections for you to check out, a growing PoeTree with leaves of poems from community members and a poetry night Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m. 

“It’s going to be a very interactive night,” Lucie Bergeron, Revelstoke library community librarian told Revelstoke Mountaineer. “There’s going to be poetry readings but also a chance for some writing exercises and engagement from attendees.”

Travelling poets Jane Byers, Leesa Dean and Rayya Liebich will be reading from their published poetry collections and leading audience members in some poetry mad libs, writing prompts and more. 

Byers, Dean and Liebich all hail from Nelson and reached out to the Revelstoke library about offering a reading in celebration of National Poetry Month. Support from the Columbia Basin Trust helped the Revelstoke library support the event.

“We get this opportunity to bring in poets and share their poetry, and that might not have been accessible for our community members otherwise,” Bergeron said. “So, we’re very excited for that support and for this chance to celebrate poetry month with this fun group of traveling poets.”

Bergeron and the library team have collected a range of poetry collections for patrons to check out, including works from Byers, Dean and Liebich. While the event is open to all ages, Bergeron encourages parents to look into the works of Byers, Dean and Liebich to make sure it’s appropriate for their kid.

“These are lovely poets, I think it would be fine,” Bergeron said. “But some parents might want to vet the writing to see if it’s good for younger readers.”

Library patrons are also encouraged to add their own poetry to the leaves of the community PoeTree being built throughout the month.

“You’re welcome to take your leaves home and work on the poem and then bring it in,” Bergeron explained. “Or if you’re someone who can make a poem on the spot we can put it up right then and there.”

The collection of poems on the PoeTree will be available for all community members to read when visiting the library. 

April’s National Poetry Month sits in what’s frequently a quieter season for the Revelstoke library, in part with ski season wrapping up and a focus on the final months of school. But Bergeron explained that hasn’t hindered the excitement for this year’s events and plans for next year’s poetry celebration.

“Every year more and more interest grows with poetry,” she said. “And as we get our new addition to our space opened, that gives us so much more opportunity, possibly for future writing workshops and events.”

Whether trying your hand at poetry or any other style of writing, Bergeron hopes guests take a moment to explore the art form and the health benefits it provides.

“I think more people should embrace writing and give themselves a chance to not worry so much about what comes out, focus on the process and that chance to organize your thoughts,” she said. “Having that mental exercise of organization is huge. And I love reading what works people will share, it helps broaden my perspective so much.”