Poetry For Everyone

“Poetry For Everyone” is planned as an outdoor event in the courtyard adjacent to Gualala Arts Center, and as the name of the event suggests, everyone is invited to bring a favorite poem to share with others. The event, which coincides with April’s National Poetry Month,  is free, and complimentary snacks, wine and soft drinks will be available.

“Poetry For Everyone” is a casual outdoor (weather permitting) event, inclusive for all ages and all kinds of folks. “Even if you find poetry intimidating, or you don’t ‘get’ poetry, or don’t particularly like poetry, you may hear something that you like, and that is my hope,“ Wolbarst said. “The poem you bring to read can be a poem you’ve written, or a poem by anyone from any time. It should be about one page long. Bring two if you like.”

Launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month reminds each of us to take a moment and celebrate poets, and the historic, necessary, and central part poetry has played in our literature and culture. Whether you’re one of the tens of millions of regular readers, students, teachers, librarians, booksellers, publishers, families, and—of course—poets, poetry continues to occupy an important place in our lives.

The event’s organizer, Susan Wolbarst, has received awards from the Sacramento Poetry Center and has been published in numerous print and digital literary magazines, domestically and internationally.