Pass the Poems, Please!

Northampton Poet Laureate Lesléa Newman is launching a poetry book drive, to be held during the month of April.

Now is the time to weed through your bookshelves! Poetry books looking for a good home will be collected and then distributed to places in Northampton that have waiting rooms.

"Sometimes you might be in the mood to read PEOPLE MAGAZINE while you're waiting to get your oil changed or your teeth cleaned," said Newman. "And sometimes, you might want to read Allen Ginsberg, or Pablo Neruda, or Stanley Kunitz or Maya Angelou. Wouldn't it be great to pass the time immersed in a book of poetry?"

If you want to drop off a book (or two or ten) please bring it to the Arts Council office located in Memorial Hall at 240 Main Street on Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 and 4:15 during the month of April. Books must be in good condition.

If you have a business with a waiting room and would like to enhance it with some poetry books, please call the Arts Council at 587-1069 and leave a message with the name of your business and its address. Books will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.