How The City of Broad Shoulders Celebrates National Poetry Month

Every month is Poetry Month in Chicago. The City of Broad Shoulders is home to the Poetry Foundation, home of “Poetry” magazine, plus constant spoken word events and countless workshop opportunities. We’re on it year-round. But since April is actually National Poetry Month, consider diving in deeper.

Where to Learn

The Poetry Foundation

The glass building of the Poetry Foundation is nestled on the corner of Superior and Dearborn streets. “Nestled” may seem like an odd description for the middle of bustling River North, but it’s like a portal, bordered with trees with a public garden beckoning readers inside. The free library is home to 40,000 volumes, a busy event space, and “Poetry” headquarters. The national magazine has printed in Chicago since 1912.

The Poetry Foundation has three more events before the end of April:

Chicago Public Library

The library is celebrating National Poetry Month with a full-day bash at Harold Washington Library on April 26. The event runs from from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes workshops, open mics and other poetic presentations.

You can also find poetry writing workshops and book clubs at neighborhood libraries year-round.

Other Readings, Workshops, and Performances

What To Read: 7 Poems About Chicago

Poetry Month is national, but we’re making it about Chicago. It’s what we do. Check out some classic and contemporary lyric odes to the complicated city we love.

Where to Compete — For Teens!

There’s nothing as poetic as being a teenage girl — that’s what I always said as a teenage girl. So use these years to submit your writing! Boys too. Let the city inspire you. You never know where a contest might lead. (Sometimes: a cash prize.)