Celebrating 30 Years of National Poetry Month

Local poets share their journeys with the written word

Apr. 13, 2026 at 12:00pm

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A blurred, dreamlike photograph in soft, earthy tones depicting a peaceful outdoor scene, conceptually representing the meditative and introspective qualities of poetry.The quiet, reflective nature of poetry provides a soothing respite from the noise of everyday life.Hammond Today

April marks the 30th anniversary of National Poetry Month, a celebration of poetry's role in American culture. Three local poets - Howard Brown, Alice Smith, and Ferris Robinson - share their personal experiences with the art form, from overcoming initial struggles to finding poetry as a means of creative expression during difficult times.

Why it matters

Poetry serves as a powerful tool for emotional expression, social change, and preserving diverse historical narratives. By highlighting the journeys of these local poets, the story underscores poetry's ability to mirror the human experience and connect people through the written word.

The details

Howard Brown, a lawyer by trade, began writing poetry to relieve the tedium of his workday. After initial forays into fiction, he gravitated towards poetry, with 72 of his poems appearing in various publications. His work often draws inspiration from observations of nature and real-life events. Alice Smith, on the other hand, initially associated poetry with pain during her divorce, but later rediscovered it as a way to express herself physically as arthritis limited her ability to play tennis. Despite initial insecurities, she has embraced her unique poetic voice. Ferris Robinson, the author of children's books and a novel, is also the editor of two local newspapers and contributes to the story by providing context on the significance of National Poetry Month.

  • April marks the 30th anniversary of National Poetry Month.
  • NaPoWriMo, or National Poetry Writing Month, challenges participants to write a poem every day for 30 days during April.

The players

Howard Brown

A lawyer who began writing poetry to relieve the tedium of his workday, Howard Brown has published 72 poems in various journals and two collections of poetry, 'The Gossamer Nature of Random Things' and 'Variations in the Perception of Color'.

Alice Smith

After initially associating poetry with pain during her divorce, Alice Smith rediscovered poetry as a way to express herself physically as arthritis limited her ability to play tennis. She has since embraced her unique poetic voice and published her first book of poetry.

Ferris Robinson

The author of children's books, a novel, and a collection of true stories about dogs, Ferris Robinson is also the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror, providing context on the significance of National Poetry Month.

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What they’re saying

“For me, the composition of poetry is somewhat akin to a dream - a walk which tiptoes between the real world and that of the imagination, a means of expressing thoughts and ideas which otherwise couldn't quite be captured by words.”

— Howard Brown, Poet

“I certainly don't relish pain, but I have to admit that it has a creative effect on me.”

— Alice Smith, Poet

“Perhaps I am a poet for people who don't like poetry.”

— Alice Smith, Poet

What’s next

The local poetry community will continue to celebrate National Poetry Month with various events and readings throughout April.

The takeaway

This story highlights how poetry can serve as a powerful medium for personal expression, emotional healing, and community connection, even for those who may not initially consider themselves poetry enthusiasts. The diverse journeys of these local poets underscore the enduring relevance and impact of the written word.