April 1st is the beginning of National Poetry Month, no fooling! Each year at this time, I picture all the world’s words flowing and swirling together forming new relationships and floating back to us through interesting word waterways  –  poetry.

Please enjoy this post while sipping a soothing cup of tea, savoring the richness of a delicious, dark cup of coffee, or relaxing with a nice round glass of red wine. If now is not a good time, browse through today and then make a date with yourself to return and listen to a least one poem each week in April.

Here’s one of my favorites, which I’ve mentioned before; When the burning begins is about a girl and her Daddy making cornbread. I see the room, smell the burning, and feel her emotions. I think I like it so much because I heard it before I read it; I truly believe poems are best out loud, just like gratitude letters and Dr. Seuss.

To hear a poem or two, check out:

• Poets.org or “The Listening Booth” 
• Favorite Poem Project , where you can listen to Americans recite their favorite poems
• BBC Arts and Poetry also offers poems for your listening pleasure

The Cortland Review is an online literary review in streaming audio where poets read their works. Their “Poets in Person” videos are wonderful, I admit that I am often more intrigued by poets than their poems, the videos feed my literary voyeuristic tendencies.

If you prefer to read rather than listen to poetry,  visit “The Poetry Foundation” to find a poem to your liking. Or, stop by PoemHunter.org to use words and stanzas to recover poetic memories.

For poetry with a twist go to the Poetry Foundation’s “Chicago Poetry Tour”, where the history of Chicago is shared out-loud in verse. (You can download this little wonder, print their map and walk through the streets or you can do as I did, and armchair travel your way around the town.)

And, no virtual poetry tour would be complete with out exploring NPR’s poetry section where people are even Tweeting poetry!

Please take a moment to share your favorite poem or poetry site with Wishful Thinking Works readers this April; we’re listening.