Closing out National Poetry Month at the Uniondale library

National Poetry Month, celebrated every April since 1996, has been a beacon of appreciation for the rich culture of American poetry, encouraging a love for reading and writing among people of all ages.

As the curtains draw on this month-long celebration, the Uniondale public library took the opportunity that National Poetry Month presented to host a special open mic night on Thursday, April 25, dedicated to the art of poetry.

Hosted by Paula Curci, Long Island's very own Poet Laureate — a poet who has been appointed by a government, organization, or institution to promote and raise the national consciousness to a greater appreciation of the reading and writing of poetry — the event saw a good turnout and saw both seasoned poets and newcomers performing for the first time on the same stage together.

Residents from elementary aged children to the community’s senior citizens were welcomed to the library and shared their words and poems among their neighbors, including award-winning published poets like Marsha M. Nelson and Gregory Singer, better known by his pseudonym, Rage Sinclaire.

The evening, according to those who performed, was not just about reciting poems — it was a platform for self-expression, creativity, and connection. The poems flowed like melodies, weaving tales of life, love, loss, hope, and resilience. The audience, comprising avid poetry enthusiasts and curious newcomers, listened intently, moved by the power of words and the raw emotions conveyed through each person’s poetry.