What Poets.org gives to millions of readers

Dear Reader,

Each time I visit Poets.org, I’m heartened to envision thousands of poetry readers from all walks of life simultaneously encountering a new poem. “Poetry is the language that sits really close to feelings that defy language,” writes Academy Chancellor Tracy K. Smith. “I take solace in the fact that it’s poems that we turn to in big moments of change.”

Today, I’m asking devoted poetry readers like you to ensure that the shared experience of reading poems is available to more readers. Please make a special contribution to support the Academy of American Poets.

More readers than ever are visiting Poets.org, reading Poem-a-Day and the Academy newsletter, utilizing Teach This Poem lesson plans, and attending our online poetry readings. To support this increased demand in the year ahead, this December we need to raise at least $150,000. Your financial suppor t is critical to our producing programs and publications, and making them accessible to readers free-of-charge.

Thank you for being a part of the Academy of American Poets’ community and for believing in the importance of poetry. I’m grateful for your helping us to share life-enriching and comforting poems with more readers of all ages, especially now.

With heartfelt thanks,

Ricardo Alberto Maldonado
President and Executive Director
Academy of American Poets

P.S. In appreciation for all gifts over $50, we are excited to send you a set of 12 poetry prints featuring our 2024 Poem-a-Day Guest Editors. Thank you for making a gift today to sustain our programs and publications!