Hey pal,

Life has a funny way of shutting you up and slowing you down when you least expect it, doesn’t it?

After suffering from a stuffy nose since last Thursday, I woke up Sunday from an afternoon nap and realized I had completely lost my voice—right before I was supposed to host Poetry Book Club for March. 😭

Because it was such short notice, I scrambled to send out messages through Fable and Instagram, encouraging everyone to still head over to Riffraff to meet each other and dive into the book together, even if I couldn’t be there myself.

But honestly, I’m not sure if anyone made it out…but the intention was there: this community is bigger than just one voice to me. It’s about bringing poets together & lifting us all up, even when I’m not involved personally.

That said, I’m not letting a little sore throat stop the momentum. No matter what—rain, shine, or even if I have to whip out a pen and notebook to communicate—I will be there for our April meeting!

Why? Because it’s National Poetry Month, and we have too much to celebrate to stay quiet. (The world needs us to be louder than the horror.)

Speaking of National/Global Poetry Month… I want to know what you’re going to be up to!

🗳️ Spill the Tea

Thanks for taking a moment to respond to the poll. It’s always a nice reminder when I come back into my beehiiv dashboard to see there’s another human who read this; that there’s an interweb thread connecting us, however loosely, through this shared passion for poetry.

As we move into April, I know the usual push to write every day can feel both motivating and impossible, depending on what you’re carrying. If you’re finding it hard to focus on poetry with everything happening in your life & around you, you’re not alone. Maybe this month, the goal isn’t to keep up, but to keep going—whatever that looks like for you.

With that in mind, here’s what’s ahead: my top picks for where to go & what to do during poetry month, some resources to lean on from your cozy couch, and spaces that will honor whatever you’re able to bring to the page right now.

Ready…Set…POUR! 🫗

Polish Your Poems | Wed, April 1st 2026 6-8pm | Public Shop & Gallery

Why come? If you want honest, supportive feedback on your work-in-progress poem/s, this is a low-pressure space to share. RSVP is encouraged, but it’s free. Email me your poem before 2pm and I’ll print copies for you! 🙂

Kwame Dawes & R.A. Villanueva | Thurs, April 2nd 2026 7pm | Riffraff Bookstore & Bar

Why come? Two acclaimed poets, two new books, one night. If you need a jolt of inspiration or just want to listen, this is a rare chance to catch some master poets in action.

All Poets: Creative Meet Up | Fri, April 24th 2026 7-9pm | Public Shop & Gallery

Why come? Sometimes you just need to be in a room with other poets! This is a casual gathering to connect with no pressure to get on a mic—let’s chat about writing, self publishing, overcoming fears, resources, healing, & anything else! Make sure you RSVP to be in the room.

• Re/Write 30 ~ If you’re feeling the pressure to create something new every day, this challenge flips the script: focus on editing one poem a day instead. There are free live virtual sessions for community, and if you want deeper feedback, there’s an optional paid 1:1 add-on with Talicha. It’s free to join and starts today so hurry up & register!

• An Evening with Reese Landry (Virtual Reading, Q&A + Open Mic) ~ Sometimes you just want to listen, sometimes you want to share. This event lets you do both. Local poet, Reese Landry, will read, answer questions, and then the mic opens up for anyone who wants to share. Hosted by AccessAbility Arts (UK), so you can join from anywhere.

• Official NaPoWriMo Site ~ If you need a nudge, they post a daily poem and prompt all month long. Sometimes a little structure is all it takes to get something on the page/screen.

• Prudence Dispatch Issue 3 (Open April 1st) ~ a local favorite, publishing poetry twice a year. They’re looking for original, unpublished poems—shorter pieces preferred, but longer ones considered. If your work is accepted, you’ll receive two free copies of the print issue. With no fee to submit, what are you waiting for?

• Wethesoil Issue 2 (Open April 2nd) ~ Back with its second issue and looking for fresh voices: poetry, creative nonfiction, and even photography. Submissions are free, and everyone who submits will receive a personalized note with feedback, even if your piece isn’t selected. Read the full guidelines & submit here.

• Poems & Essays for TPP (Rolling Submissions) ~ If you want to see your work featured in a future edition of The Poetry Pour, submissions are now open on a rolling basis. Poems (from subscribed CT, RI, or MA poets) and essays (from any and all subscribers) are due by the last day of each month for consideration in a future edition. For full details on what I’m looking for, check out the last post. Ready to share something now? Send your pieces to me (PDF for poems, Google Doc for essays please 🙏)

As the Development Associate at New Urban Arts, I’m deep in the heart of 401gives right now (yes, it’s still happening today too!).

I feel lucky to work for an organization that doesn’t just talk about art—it makes it accessible. NUA is a place where young people can show up, meet adult mentors, and discover what’s possible through creativity. We’re not just nurturing artists; we’re supporting the next generation of changemakers, thinkers, and (of course) poets.

I know many of you support the local arts scene, whether it’s showing up at open mics, buying chapbooks, or sharing each other’s work. This is that same energy, just directed toward the next generation.

If The Poetry Pour has ever helped you find an event, discover a new poet, or feel more connected to the poetry community, I’m asking you to pour that love forward by supporting New Urban Arts today.

Thanks for choosing to spend these few minutes tapping in to what’s up in the poetry pour world in this new month. & as NaPoWriMo begins, find ways to be gentle with yourself, whether you’re participating or not.

What’s next? Look out for another newsletter mid-April, where I’ll be featuring poetry from our very first poetry pal submitter. We’re also approaching the one-year anniversary of this project, and I’ll be sharing a special product drop to celebrate how far we’ve come together.

Snaps, claps, & heel clacks,

Salena JD ~ your resident pourtender