Poems by Poets Laureate Fellows, The Induction of Audre Lorde to the American Poets Corner, and more

Resources for Black History Month

Check out archival materials, photographs, more poems, essays, lesson plans, and books to celebrate and honor Black voices every day. 

2021 Poets Laureate Fellowships 

Submissions are still being accepted for the 2021 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowships. The $50,000 fellowships will honor Poets Laureate of states, cities, counties, U.S. territories, or Tribal nations, enabling them to undertake impactful and innovative projects that will engage their fellow residents and address important issues with poetry. The fellowship program, made possible by a generous gift from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, is now in its third year. Applications will be accepted until Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EST, 8:59 p.m. PST. 

#PoetryNearYou Pick of the Week: The Induction of Audre Lorde to the American Poets Corner 

Curated Conversation(s): a Latinx Poetry Show

Get Your Free Copy of the 2021 National Poetry Month Poster!

This year’s poster was designed by Bao Lu, a twelfth grader from Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn, New York and the winner of the 2021 National Poetry Month Poster Contest. Get your free copy of the poster!

Rachel Eliza Griffiths Recommends a Poem from Poets.org 

“Natalie Diaz’s poem ‘Grief Work’ holds a profound question, which is nearly like a mirror for me, that I keep close: ‘Why not now go toward the things I love?’”

—Rachel Eliza Griffiths, author of Seeing the Body (W. W. Norton, 2020), and Poem-a-Day Guest Editor for the month of February. 

What Assétou Xango, Poet Laureate of Aurora, Colorado, is Currently Reading 

“Reading A Gospel of Bones by Suzi Q. Smith is a rattling of the Spirit within. The parts of myself buried under dust and self-hatred were touched, awakened. We had tea. It was terrifying, glorious. I am freed.”

—Assétou Xango, poet laureate of Aurora, Colorado, and 2020 Poets Laureate Fellow.