National Poetry Month is a celebration of poetry which takes place each April. It was introduced in 1996 and is organized by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States.

We are thrilled to invite two local luminaries, J.D. Scrimgeour and Jennifer Martelli, to help us celebrate by reading for us and sharing their thoughts on the craft. In addition, from 5:00 – 5:15 or so, participants will be invited to read a poem of their own or, if not that, a favorite poem. Time is limited to 3 minutes per reader. Please let us know if you would like to read by sending an e-mail in advance to pickeringhouse1@gmail.com.

Jennifer Martelli is the author of My Tarantella (Bordighera Press), awarded an Honorable Mention from the Italian-American Studies Association, selected as a 2018 “Must Read” by the Massachusetts Center for the Book, and named as a finalist for the Housatonic Book Award. Her chapbook, After Bird, was the winner of the Grey Book Press open reading, 2016. Her work has appeared in Poetry, West Trestle Review, Verse Daily, Iron HorseReview (winner, Photo Finish contest), The Sycamore Review, and Cream City Review. Jennifer Martelli has twice received grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for her poetry. She is co-poetry editor for Mom Egg Review and co-curates the Italian-American Writers Series.

J.D. Scrimgeour is the author of four poetry collections The Last Miles, Territories, Lifting the Turtle and Festival. His collection of bilingual poetry, 香蕉面包/Banana Bread, will be published by Nixes Mate Press in Fall 2021. He won the AWP Award for Nonfiction for his second book of nonfiction, Themes for English B: A Professor’s Education In & Out of Class. With musician Philip Swanson he released Ogunquit & Other Works, a CD blending music and poetry. He now serves as Acting Chairperson of Salem State’s English Department.  A longtime resident of Salem, he’s written in many genres about the city. Mary Towne Eastey, an ancestor in his direct line, was put to death during the Salem Witch Trials. Another ancestor, Thomas Perkins, sat on the jury that found her guilty. More information can be found at http://jdscrimgeour.com

Registration in advance is required by Saturday, April 17 @ noon.

The Zoom link will be sent the day of the event.