Falcon Four: Four poetry tips and recommendations for National Poetry Month 2026
By: Hannah Johnson
Happy April Falcons! April is National Poetry Month and whether you’re a seasoned poetry reader or looking to explore the artform for the first time, poetry has something for everyone. Here are four tips and some recommendations to enjoy poetry this month and beyond.
Don’t Be Afraid (and Don’t Overcomplicate it)
Poetry is nothing to be afraid of, even if you only ever read prose. Complicated rules on syllables and line stresses mix up readers and poets alike, and make poetry seem more like a long and tedious process of deciphering an impossible puzzle than an enjoyable experience. The good news is, all poets aren’t writing like Emily Dickinson, that is, in riddles, that make your head spin. Even some older poems from “the greats” don’t have a hundred stanzas or incomprehensible lines. One famous example is “The Red Wheelbarrow” by William Carlos Williams, which has a grand total of sixteen words, describing some scenery. That’s it. If you’re open to exploring different eras of poetry and the “classics” William Carlos Williams is a good place to start, with a likability and naturalness to his poems, meaning you can enjoy them without this fear of overcomplicated, old poetry. Another well-loved poet from around this time is Amy Lowell, and her poem, “A Decade,” which is short and approachable, but purposeful and beautiful.
For those who enjoy fiction, you may also be able to trace genres and writers into poetry. For example, famous Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood is also a poet. Poetry has also been in people’s lives maybe longer than they’ve imagined, with famous poets like Dr. Seuss a staple in children’s books, even today. Poetry is nothing new, so there’s nothing to be afraid of.
Get Specific: There’s Something Out There for Everyone
There is plenty of poetry out there, new and old, across varying topics, plenty with more straightforward approaches. It’s accessible for everyone. Just like with fiction, you can tailor your own poetry experience to what is best for you, what resonates with you the most. Poetry isn’t all doom and gloom either. If you’re looking for something more lighthearted, it’s out there. If you like cats, there are plenty of poems out there about cats. If you are open to reading more “classic” poetry, different time periods host different schools of poetry, something else that can help you find your specific niche. Don’t be afraid to make a sort of word map with terms that you want to read about, that mean something to you, like love or grief. Poetry can really speak to someone when it has the right receiver.
For one such example, there is no shortage of romantic poetry, past or present. One romantic poet writing today is Alexandra Vasiliu. She’s written numerous poetry books such as Through the Heart’s Eyes, the perfect poet for romantics, that beginners to the craft and experienced readers can find joy in reading.
Don’t Make it a Chore
For some, interaction with poetry may have mostly come in a classroom setting, reading older poems that might make no sense to you, or have no impact. Poetry is then can turn into a chore. When you make your own independent plunge into poetry, it doesn’t have to be a chore, and the key is not making it one. There is an abundance of materials, like YouTube videos, out there explaining some poetry concepts if you prefer this more academic or structured approach (another example of how poetry is accessible for all different readers or learners), but forcing an approach that is too stiff, takes away from the true enjoyment and beauty of poetry.
For those looking for an easy, low-pressure introduction to poetry, sites like The Poetry Foundation and Poets.org have features like Poem of the Day, a nice bite-sized dose to get one started or get a small daily fix. You can also find poem guides and glossary terms if you prefer to get more in depth. Resources like these are abundant to let everyone enjoy poetry, in their own ways.
For those looking for an impactful poetry collection written recently that isn’t too boring or stiff, Don’t Call us Dead by Danez Smith is the book to read. “Dear White America” is one of their incredible, impactful poems dealing with the pain, emotion, and injustice of contemporary social issues seen every day in society, existing well outside of the classroom.
Find Meaning
Poetry can be just as impactful as a prose book can be, even if there are much fewer words or a non-traditional format with words jumping across the page. One such example of a poet today is Ocean Vuong, who’s written poems with utterly beautiful language, grappling with topics like gay love, violence, and loss. One of his poems about such love, “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous”, happens to also be the title for his debut novel. This is an example of the indescribable intensity poetry has, even in so few words, that gives this craft its magic. Poetry packs a punch and finding meaning is finding magic.
With that, Poetry Month 2026 has officially started and there’s so many poems out there to be discovered. Happy reading.
