McDaniel College celebrates National Poetry Month, established by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, with the 20th annual Bothe Lecture and a poet’s top picks of poetry books.

In the decade since its inception, National Poetry Month has become the largest literary celebration in the world, raising the profile of poetry and its place in American culture.

Opportunities to enjoy poetry include:

Poet Rodney Jones (above) will deliver the 20th annual B. Christopher Bothe Lecture at 8 p.m. April 4 in McDaniel Lounge. Jones will read poems from his new book, "Salvation Blues: 100 Poems, 1985-2005" (Houghton Mifflin, 2006). The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, call 410-857-2294. Read more about the lecture.

The College’s creative writing publication Contrast features 20 student poems and stories. Learn more about the magazine’s launch.

Looking for a good read? English Professor and accomplished poet Kathy Mangan recommends books of poetry.