April is National Poetry Month and the North Olympic Library System is offering several opportunities to celebrate — through Poetry Walks in Olympic National Park, the inauguration of the first Clallam County Poet Laureate, and a virtual book discussion group featuring poetry.
Trail poetry
Take a walk along five Olympic National Park trails now through May 31 and enjoy nature-themed poems offered in partnership with Olympic National Park.
Poems are placed on signs in Olympic National Park along the Hall of Mosses, Living Forest, Madison Creek Falls, Peabody Creek and Spruce Railroad trails.
National parks have inspired artistic and creative expression for generations, and finding inspiration along the Poetry Walks is one way everyone can join in and celebrate the artistic legacy of national parks.
Clallam’s first poet laureate
Attend the inauguration of the first Clallam County Poet Laureate, Jaiden Dokken, at the Port Angeles Library (2210 S. Peabody St.) at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 18. The event will also be livestreamed on Zoom.
Dokken will read a selection of their poems after opening remarks by Clallam County commissioner Mark Ozias and NOLS librarian Clair Dunlap.
As Poet Laureate, Dokken — a Sequim area resident — will bring poetry to residents across Clallam County by participating in events, leading workshops and championing the community power of the written and spoken word.
The Clallam County Poet Laureate program is a partnership between NOLS and Clallam County.
No Pressure
Explore poetry at the No Pressure Book Club, offered virtually on Zoom and in-person at the Forks Library, at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 10. Readers can discuss what they are currently reading and share highlights, likes, dislikes, and give general impressions about the material.
Each month there is a genre theme to help expand reading horizons. April’s theme is poetry.
For your poetry reading pleasure
If you’re looking for poetry book recommendations, check out one of these great titles available at the library.
• “The Hurting Kind” by Ada Limón
From the publisher: “An astonishing collection about inter-connectedness — between the human and nonhuman, ancestors and ourselves — from National Book Critics Circle Award winner, National Book Award finalist and U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón.”
• “If This Bird Had Pockets: A Poem in Your Pocket Day Celebration” by Amy Ludwig VanDerWater
From the publisher: “Fascinating information about animals (yes, sea otters have pockets!) tucked into short, lively poems and bright, bold artwork make this collection perfect for National Poetry Month — or any day of the year.”
• “Musical Tables” by Billy Collins
From the publisher: “Now ‘America’s favorite poet’ (The Wall Street Journal) has found a new form for his unique poetic style: the small poem. Here Collins writes about his trademark themes of nature, animals, poetry, mortality, absurdity, and love — all in a handful of lines.”
More info
Stop by the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave., or browse the catalog at nols.org to explore poetry. The friendly staff are available to help you find the information and resources you’re looking for.
You can also reach library staff by phone at 360-683-1161 or email at discover@nols.org.
Emily Sly is Sequim Library branch manager.
