Sometimes the general public assumes that creativity comes from an external mind-altering substance. Yes, it’s true that Byron, Coleridge, and Poe might have used opium recreationally. It seems appropriate to acknowledge this on 4/20.
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Photo Credit: Flicker.com djwudi National Poetry Month Magnets |
However, I would argue the greatest powder keg of feel-good chemicals come from drug-free laughter. What makes hot SmartyFellas laugh? See below.
Who says that observing National Poetry Month means deprivation from comedy and high-brow reading diet? Tweeting and re-tweeting Issa, Basho, Hass, and Rumi for poetry month is fun for the first two weeks of April but esoteric references get old fast.
So this editing team decide to have fun and be difficult in honor of George Carlin’s memory.
After all, where would we be without people who make us laugh? Comedian Ryan Stout has pain + truth = comedy answer on Twitter.
Surviving a war, famine, natural disaster, abuse or terrorist attack might feel like a hollow victory if if laughter died but you lived. Right?
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Photo Credit: LaughingSkullLounge Maria Bamford |
Here are 9 Comedians for age 21 and over recommended by various SmartyFellas for National Poetry Month:
1. Russel Peters
2. George Carlin
3. Mitch Hedberg
4. Maria Bamford
5. Fred Armisten
6. Louis C.K.
7. Gabriel Iglesias
8. Christopher Titus
9. Daniel Tosh
I believe the proverb that the shortest distance between two strangers is laughter. It’s the best of small talk to build rapport. Besides as SmartyGirls and SmartyFellas, life can be a b*tch. Am I right? Laugh a little even if so-and-so doesn’t think the sun shines out your a**.
Here are 8 Most Popular Poets recommended by Youth Librarians for Contemporary Schoolkids for National Poetry Month:
1. Jane Yolen
2. Jack Prelutsky
3. Douglas Florian
4. Langston Hughes
5. Walt Whitman
6. Lee Bennett Hopkins
7. Alice Schertle
8. James Stevenson
And, no, you are not a creeper if you are reading juvenile poetry and you don’t have children! Reminding yourself of what makes all ages laugh, keeps your mind agile. Don’t be a Grouchy Ladybug, treat yourself to one of the poetry bites above.
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Photo Credit: Amazon.com James Stevenson National Poetry Month |
Expect Flipboard-style graphics, on kids’ hardcover poetry books, like you’d find on your smartphones. Like a bull elephant, these illustrations make an impact. Do great pictures steal the spotlight of word-smithing genius? Let me ask you this, SmartyGirls and SmartyFellas: are you any less smart because you are attractive?
According to the Youth librarians, on the front line in 2013, kids are grabbing poetry books that look as delicious as picture books for the younger set. Think of this as a makeover of news sites for grownups to include larger pictures like a magazine format rather than tiled icons.
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Photo Credit: Poetry in Magnets Cultural Partners |
Jet-propelled poetry with staggering illustrations still count. Don’t feel guilty. Comment below.