National Poetry Month 2009

What, you ask, is that sound rattling your windows today? That wet, slobbery grinding and grunting all around you?   I believe, dear hearts, that it is the sound of Charles Bernstein gnashing his teeth.

Why?

Well,   today marks the start of America's 13th annual National Poetry Month, and thus there is much to report:

* The Academy of American Poets is showcasing a number of great programs on their site, including the National Poetry Map, and a calendar of National Poetry Month events.

* Farrar, Straus and Giroux has re-launched their poetry blog, The Best Words in the Best Order, featuring the Frederick Seidel Book Giveaway, and the poetry ring-tone, among other goodies.

* Poets House will host their 17th annual showcase the 4th through the 17th.  The opening reception will happen Saturday, April 4, 1pm-4pm.  Their press release says "over 2,000 titles share shelf space for one week" at the Jefferson Market Branch of the New York Public Library, and it's free.  More info here and here.

* The Poetry Everywhere program has a whole host of new videos up, both on the PBS site, and nearby on the PoFo's own.

* Anne Carson is spending the month in Iceland.

* Over at Publisher's Weekly, Craig Morgan Teicher samples some samplers for the cruelest month.

* My new Facebook friend Small Press Distribution is having a big ol' poetry blow out sale.

* Scholastic is featuring a "Poetry-Making Machine" up on their site.

* And Tao Lin is winning the Cave Canem prize.

(One of these things is an April Fool's Day joke, but you have to guess which one. Go on, guess! )

Also: Since there is bound to be a deluge of poetry-related events this month, I'll be posting the daily news feed here on Harriet in the morning, so please feel free to post any events or news items I'm missing in the comments section.

Oh, and that's the Seattle morning.  Lunchtime for you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed citizens of the Eastern Coast.