The Power of Poetry

Each year, I give a great number of speeches. During many, I recite from memory a poem that captures the spirit of the moment. To me, a poem is one of the best ways to learn about humanity. Whether they are as long as the "Aeneid" by Virgil or as simple as the verses of Emily Dickinson, or whether they are written by a Greek, Scotsman, or American, the lines of a poem contain the timeless power of concentrated thought. Poetry is the language of the soul. Through words, it expresses what links us, troubles us, and makes us fully human.

Every day, the power of poetry is all around. It speaks of love, death, disappointment, and elation. Poetry is the laughter of children, the gentle breeze of spring, and the soft golden rays of the sunset.

April is National Poetry Month, a time that brings together poets, literary organizations, libraries, and schools to celebrate poetry and its place in American culture. Among the activities scheduled this year, the Children's Book Council will launch a new event called Young People's Poetry Week to highlight the value of poetry for young people and to encourage more librarians and educators to present poetry to children. Public libraries throughout the nation will have information about local poetry events.

Over the years, I have cultivated the potential of my mind by memorizing prose, dates, names, quotations, and, particularly, poetry. During my frequent drives between Washington and West Virginia, I would memorize line after line, trying to capture the words, rhythms, thoughts, and lessons of the verses. Over time, my repertoire became quite lengthy. As a matter of fact, I came to be able to recite poem after poem for the entire length of my trip without repeating a single poem.

National Poetry Month presents an opportunity for parents and teachers to work with children and encourage them to take the time to read and truly understand good poetry, not just to see words on paper, but also to dig for the emotions, spirit, and core thought of the author. For adults, this is a good time to step away from the hectic pace of daily life and revisit the words of the soul. Through their words, poets give a voice to that which is great within every human being.
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April 7, 1999