National Poetry Month

Poem a Day Podcast

Each day in April the Denver Public Library will post a poem read by a staff member. Check back Monday through Friday to hear the new poem!

As I Walk These Broad Majestic Days
by Walt Whitman
Posted Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Listen Now! Read by Shamus.

As I walk these broad majestic days of peace,
(For the war, the struggle of blood finish'd, wherein, O terrific Ideal,
Against vast odds erewhile having gloriously won,
Now thou stridest on, yet perhaps in time toward denser wars,
Perhaps to engage in time in still more dreadful contests, dangers,
Longer campaigns and crises, labors beyond all others,)
Around me I hear that eclat of the world, politics, produce,
The announcements of recognized things, science,
The approved growth of cities and the spread of inventions.

I see the ships, (they will last a few years,)
The vast factories with their foremen and workmen,
And hear the indorsement of all, and do not object to it.

But I too announce solid things,
Science, ships, politics, cities, factories, are not nothing,
Like a grand procession to music of distant bugles pouring,
triumphantly moving, and grander heaving in sight,
They stand for realities—all is as it should be.

Then my realities;
What else is so real as mine?
Libertad and the divine average, freedom to every slave on the face of the earth,
The rapt promises and luminé of seers, the spiritual world, these centuries-lasting songs,
And our visions, the visions of poets, the most solid announcements of any.

Poem a Day Archive

DPL Poetry Resources

Start Your Poetry Search Here!
Find books of poetry, selected poems, information on poets and suggested Web sites on Denver Public Library's Poetry page.

For Teens, check out the eVolver National Poetry Month page.

Poetry Events in April

Poetry Flash Mob
Tuesday, April 1, 12 noon
To kick off Poetry Month, the public is invited to join with poets for a simultaneous reading along the 16th Street Mall.  Anyone interested should meet on the 16th Street Mall at Glenarm.

Poets on Corners
Friday, April 4, 6:30 p.m.
Poets will join forces with the First Friday Art Walks, entertaining crowds at corners of many of the local arts districts including Santa Fe, Golden Triangle and RiNo.

Liquid Poetry
Friday, April 11, 7 p.m.
Wynkoop Brewery will help satisfy the thirst for poetry with Liquid Poetry, brewed in collaboration with Denver’s Poet Laureate Chris Ransick.  The launch party will feature beer-related poetry and music and a terrific $5.00 offer for a specially designed pint glass filled with Liquid Poetry, benefiting the Rocky Mountain Unit of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic.  The special pint glass and beer will be available throughout April.

Open Mic Night
Every Friday, 10 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to share their poetry at Mercury Café’s Open Mic Nights.

Poetry Slams
A poetry slam is a competition at which poets read or recite original work and are judged by selected members of the audience.  Several slams take place in Denver, including Sundays at Mercury Café and the second and fourth Thursdays at Blackberries Lounge.

Art from Ashes
First Fridays, 7 p.m.
Youth are invited to express their experiences and challenges in a therapeutic peer environment at Art from Ashes. Writing and presenting their own words draws youth into community and helps them to develop their creative voice.

Readings and Spoken Word Performances
Performances and poetry readings are scheduled throughout April.

Workshops
Organizations such as Lighthouse Writers Workshop offer workshops and classes for those interested in developing their own poetry skills.

Poetry in Motion
Passengers on 800 local buses can enjoy poetry as part of the Poetry in Motion collaboration between the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs and Regional Transportation District.

More information about these events may be found at the DenverGov Poetry Month page.

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Updated: April 29, 2008