April is National Poetry Month! Launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, it is a special occasion that recognizes poetry in all its forms and reminds us of the integral role of poets in our cultures. To celebrate, we are bringing back our annual Blackout Poetry Contest for teens!
How to Create a Blackout Poem
- Choose a page with words. This can be book pages, magazine or newspaper articles.
- Grab a marker and “blackout” the words you don’t want, leaving the words you do want!
- Work on your poem until you like the result.
- Get creative! You can be as artistic as you would like and turn your piece into a work of art
How to Enter
- Paste your poem onto one of the contest entry forms available at any PLYMC branch.
- Fill out the information on the bottom of the page to receive credit.
- Turn in your completed poem to your teacher or at any PLYMC branch.
Contest Details
- Dates: April 1-30, 2026
- For teens in grades 7-12
- Prizes: Three winners will be selected and awarded a prize!
Good luck! We can't wait to see what you create.
For more Library programs, visit our online events calendar or pick up our Happenings newsletter from your local branch.
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