Celebrate National Poetry Month with Mercy by the Sea


This 2026 National Poetry Month poster features design and illustration by Alfred Richner. Lines excerpted from the poem, “The Chance” by Arthur Sze, from The Redshifting Web: New & Selected Poems (Copper Canyon Press, 1998). 

“The only thing that can save the world is the reclaiming of the awareness of the world. That’s what poetry does.” — Allen Ginsberg

For the fifth consecutive year, Mercy by the Sea is supporting the efforts of The American Academy of Poets by sponsoring onsite and virtual offerings that help to celebrate National Poetry Month. This international observance launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, is a special occasion that celebrates poets’ integral role in our culture. Over the years, National Poetry Month has become the largest literary celebration in the world.

Onsite and Virtual Programs

April 9, 2026 
Finding Beauty in a Shattered World: Sharing Memoirs Through Verse with Sister Sharon Hunter, CJ

April 12, 2026
Leaving the Shore: Experiencing Poetry as Prayer with Colette Lafia - Virtual

April 19, 2026
Art Heals: An Inspired Writing Workshop, with Ed Lent and Sarah Grote

Save the date: August 28-30, 2026: Poet and Spiritual Guide Mark Nepo will facilitate “The Language of the Soul – How the Words You Choose Shape the Life You Live.” Registration to open April 14, 2026 at 10 a.m. ET.


Paraclete Press poetry: "Chance Encounters,” “Light Before the Sun” and “To Shatter Glass” by Sister Sharon Hunter, CJ are all available in the Mercy by the Sea Bookstore. 

More Poetry in the Mercy by the Sea Bookstore

  • "The Chance of Home" by Mark S. Burrows
  • "Sonnets to Orpheus" by Mark S. Burrows
  • "Nature's Blessings - Poetry for the Young and Young at Heart" by Michele Hughes
  • "Dreaming of Stones" by Christine Valters Paintner
  • "The Wisdom of Wild Geese" by Christine Valters Paintner
  • "The Half-Life of Angels" by Mark Nepo
  • "When Words Disappear - Poetry and Reflection from Caregiving and Beyond" by Jennifer Marie Siefert
  • "Send My Roots Rain - A Companion on the Grief Journey" by Kim Langley
  • "Spirit in Creation: Two Women, One Vision Finding Peace in Creation" by Marjorie A. Burke and Patricia O'Connor
  • “These Women You Gave Me” by Adrianne Brim
  • “Spirit in Creation: Two Women, One Vision Finding Peace and Truth in Creation” by Marjorie A. Burke and Patricia O’Connor
  • "God Chose Me!" by Lexa Hale (children's book)
  • “Sounds of House and Wood” by Sara Ingram

New Poetry Collection: Mercy by the Sea Guest

Congratulations to Marjorie Maddox for her new release of poems, “Seeing Things” (Wildhouse Publishing)!

Current and/or Former Co-Sponsors and Partners

Mercy by the Sea has been delighted to have co-sponsored or co-marketed its annual National Poetry Month observances with these partnering organizations: