Poem in Your Pocket Day 2009
Ginsberg, Hughes, Byron, and Poe They wrote poems that we all know On April 30th, Poem in Your Pocket Day Add your own words to what they say Thursday, April 30th, 2009 will be the seventh annual Poem In Your Pocket day in New York City, and this year, the Mayor's Office is working with the Poetry Society of America to bring poet John Waldman’s Envelope Project to New York City. We've offered up the NYPL blog as a space for everyone to participate, so if you want to write your own poem, simply follow these instructions:
- Browse through these first lines of famous poems.
- When you have found one that inspires you, continue writing your own poem based on the first line.
- Once you have finished your poem, post it in the comments section below. Link the NYPL blog to your Facebook page, and share with your friends!
- Be sure to check back on April 30th to see what other New Yorkers have written – as well as the original poems.
- And don’t forget to print out a copy of your poem and tuck it in to your pockets, so you can be ready for April 30th.
Suggested first lines below the fold…
- The Owl and the Pussy-Cat went to sea...
- I know what the caged bird feels, alas!...
- My heart leaps up when I behold...
- When you are old and gray and full of sleep...
- I wandered lonely as a cloud...
- How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...
- I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me...
- Go and catch a falling star...
- There was a child went forth every day...
- FLOOD-TIDE below me! I watch you face to face!...
- If ever two were one, then surely we...
- When I have fears that I may cease to be...
- Drink to me, only with thine eyes...
- Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back...
- `Twas brillig, and the slithy toves...
- There was an Old Man with a beard...
- My heart is like a singing bird...
Poem In Your Pocket Day is a collaborative poetry and literacy initiative from the Mayor’s Office, the Department of Education and the Department of Cultural Affairs. Throughout the day on April 30th, schools, libraries, senior centers and cultural organizations throughout the five boroughs will be celebrating the power of poetry. All you need to do to participate is carry your favorite original or classic poem in your pocket all day and share it with your family, friends, co-workers or classmates. For more information, please visit www.nyc.gov/poem or become a fan of the new PIYP Facebook page.
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Comments
The Owl and the Pussycat
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on March 31, 2009 - 1:41pm
A Haiku: Streetlights,
Submitted by PoetryChick (not verified) on March 31, 2009 - 3:21pm
a haiku in answer to
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on April 1, 2009 - 3:26pm
My heart leaps up when I
Submitted by ForlornWindowShopper (not verified) on April 1, 2009 - 1:14pm
When you are old and grey
Submitted by Cathy (not verified) on April 2, 2009 - 1:33pm
I Hear an Army by James
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on April 2, 2009 - 4:54pm
I wondered lonely as a
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on April 9, 2009 - 11:51am
There was a child went forth
Submitted by Mary Alampi (not verified) on April 9, 2009 - 1:49pm
Listen my children and you
Submitted by Cathy (not verified) on April 10, 2009 - 4:19pm
Go and catch a falling
Submitted by Judy (not verified) on April 11, 2009 - 4:04pm
IF EVER TWO WERE ONE If ever
Submitted by Lois Troutman (not verified) on April 11, 2009 - 9:45pm
When you are old and
Submitted by Judy (not verified) on April 14, 2009 - 1:36pm
There was an old man with a
Submitted by Hilary Bradley (not verified) on April 17, 2009 - 1:17pm
When you are old and
Submitted by Jesse McGuay (not verified) on April 17, 2009 - 2:10pm
How do I love thee? Let me
Submitted by Dawn (not verified) on April 17, 2009 - 10:19pm
If ever two were one, then
Submitted by Cassandra Passero (not verified) on April 17, 2009 - 11:23pm
I have a little shadow that
Submitted by John V Bortree (not verified) on April 18, 2009 - 2:36pm
Go and catch a falling
Submitted by Leah (not verified) on April 18, 2009 - 7:41pm
I know what the caged bird
Submitted by Michael Brown E... (not verified) on April 19, 2009 - 12:10pm
The perfect shell Frothy
Submitted by Ann (not verified) on April 19, 2009 - 3:55pm
When you are old and gray
Submitted by Rachel Daugherty (not verified) on April 20, 2009 - 12:34am
It always comes, and when it
Submitted by Chase (not verified) on April 20, 2009 - 7:06pm
Drink to me, with only thine
Submitted by Rachelle Mckoy (not verified) on April 21, 2009 - 6:19pm
Go and catch a falling
Submitted by Brianna (not verified) on April 22, 2009 - 1:46pm
When you are old and gray
Submitted by Mary E. Bullock (not verified) on April 23, 2009 - 1:32pm
How do I love thee? Let me
Submitted by Melina Salazar (not verified) on April 24, 2009 - 1:52am
Go and catch a falling
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on April 24, 2009 - 11:11pm
I have a little shadow that
Submitted by Paffelt (not verified) on April 26, 2009 - 6:34pm
Go and catch a falling star
Submitted by Karen (not verified) on April 26, 2009 - 11:03pm
Love bade me welcome, yet my
Submitted by Dale (not verified) on April 27, 2009 - 10:14am
I wandered lonely as a
Submitted by J. Gourd (not verified) on April 27, 2009 - 1:17pm
Go and catch a falling
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on April 28, 2009 - 12:33am
My heart leaps up when I
Submitted by Susan Varo (not verified) on April 29, 2009 - 4:21pm
My heart is like a singing
Submitted by JeanMarie Martello (not verified) on April 29, 2009 - 6:15pm
Saturday morning in the East
Submitted by KT (not verified) on April 29, 2009 - 7:38pm
When you are old and Grey
Submitted by Leanne (not verified) on April 29, 2009 - 8:00pm
There was an old man with a
Submitted by Lindsay (not verified) on April 30, 2009 - 9:28am
I don't Mac I just sit back
Submitted by Pimpcess (not verified) on April 30, 2009 - 10:43am
There was an old man with a
Submitted by Lindsay (not verified) on April 30, 2009 - 12:14pm
There was a child went forth
Submitted by John (not verified) on April 30, 2009 - 1:46pm
I wandered lonely as a
Submitted by Vrishank (not verified) on May 1, 2009 - 12:17am