🌵 Celebrating 30 Years of National Poetry Month
April marks the 30th anniversary of National Poetry Month—a nationwide celebration of poetry’s power to connect, challenge, and inspire.
Since its founding by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month has grown into one of the largest literary celebrations in the world. For three decades, it has amplified the voices of poets, encouraged readers to engage with poetry, and created space for communities to gather around language and storytelling.
At AZPoetry.com, we are proud to be part of that ongoing tradition.
Events
Prompt + Pour
Immediately following a yoga session, Prompt + Pour is a poetry night for writers, readers, and the poetry-curious.…
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Walk-In Wednesday Open Mic
Musicians (acoustic preferred) and poets are welcome. Performers are allowed two songs or two poems not to exceed…
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Margin & Mic
Margin & Mic is a poetry and spoken word open mic held every Wednesday at Downside Up in…
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Mustang Poets Writing Workshop
Mustang Poets is a branch of the Arizona State Poetry Society.
Read more →Prompt + Pour
Immediately following a yoga session, Prompt + Pour is a poetry night for writers, readers, and the poetry-curious.…
Read more →Walk-In Wednesday Open Mic
Musicians (acoustic preferred) and poets are welcome. Performers are allowed two songs or two poems not to exceed…
Read more →Margin & Mic
Margin & Mic is a poetry and spoken word open mic held every Wednesday at Downside Up in…
Read more →AZpoetry.com is your gateway to the dynamic poetry scene in Arizona. Discover an array of exciting poetry events taking place throughout the state – Arizona poetry open mic nights, poetry slams from Tucson to Bullhead City, AZ poetry workshops, and Grand Canyon State poetry readings! Immerse yourself in the power of spoken word, connect with fellow poetry enthusiasts, and be inspired by the magic that unfolds on stage. Stay up-to-date with our comprehensive event calendar and make sure you never miss a captivating performance.
Poem of the Day
“They Don’t Love You Like I Love You” by Natalie Diaz
they don’t love you like i love you
my mother said this to me long before
beyonce lifted the lyrics from the yeah yeah yeahs
what my mother meant by don’t stray
was that she knew all about it the way
it feels to need someone to love you
someone not your kind someone white
someone some many who live because so
many of mine have not and further live
on top of those of ours who don’t
i’ll say say say i’ll say say say what
is the united states if not a clot of
clouds if not spilled milk or blood if
not the place we once were in the
millions
america is maps
maps are ghosts
white and layers of people and places i
see through
my mother
like your mother has always known best
knew that i’d been begging for them to
lay my face against their white labs to
be held in something more than the loud
light of their projectors as they
flicker themselves sepia or blue all
over my body
all this time i thought my mother said
wait as in give them a little more time
to know your worth
when really she said wait
meaning heft preparing me for the yoke
of myself the beast of my country’s
burdens which is less worse than my
country’s plow
yes when my mother said they don’t love
you like i love you she meant natalie
that doesn’t mean you aren’t good
Transcribed from the video “Natalie Diaz: They Don’t Love You Like I Love You” by Natalie Diaz and Mellon Foundation.
About the poet Natalie Diaz
With references to songs “Hold Up” by Beyonce and “Maps” by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, this poem takes popular music references and invites us into the privacy of the poet’s family life to share their feelings and path to healing. Learn more about Natalie Diaz HERE.
Maps by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Hold Up by Beyonce
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TC Tolbert
TC Tolbert – Tucson Poet Laureate (2017 – 2023) TC Tolbert serves as a vibrant and transformative voice in contemporary American poetry. Appointed as the Poet Laureate of Tucson in 2017, Tolbert guided the city’s literary engagement through 2023, shaping a poetic culture rooted in inclusion, empathy, and the desert’s quiet resilience. Tolbert’s years as
Browse our database of known poets in Arizona, from the past to present day. Discover the lives of poets, the rich history of wordsmiths in the Grand Canyon State, and plunge into their work through recordings, books, and some poetry that the poets have given us permission to publish here.
🖋️ Share Poetry, Connect with Community 📚
We believe in the transformative power of words and the importance of fostering a supportive community of poets. Whether you’re a seasoned wordsmith or exploring poetry for the first time, AZpoetry.com provides a platform for you to showcase your work and connect with fellow poets. Submit your poetry to our collection, engage in constructive discussions, and receive valuable feedback from our vibrant community.
🌵 Join Our Thriving Poetry Community 🌵
Become a part of our thriving poetry community in Arizona. Connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for poetry, attend events that will leave you spellbound, and uncover the hidden gems within Arizona’s poetry landscape. Together, let’s celebrate the beauty and power of words.
Start your poetic journey today at AZpoetry.com and let your words create a lasting impact on Arizona’s poetic legacy.