April is National Poetry Month, and for over a decade, Sinclair has been hosting an annual
reading for the college’s community to participate in!
This year’s Poem In Your Pocket will take place on Thursday, April 13 at 3:30 p.m. in Building 7,
Room 006.
It all started when Caroline Reynolds, an English and Literature professor at Sinclair, received a
flyer in the mail informing her of the nationwide celebration. From there, in conjunction with
the English department and a few librarians, she began organizing the reading. While it used to
be connected to the college’s Sinclair Talks series, it has developed into something more
separate.
Reynolds stated that the first two years of the event were “better,” with other faculty bringing
their classes to it and increasing attendance.
Since then, attendance has fluctuated. A Poem In Your Pocket installment was hosted over
Zoom during the pandemic shutdown, but the group was quite small. Regardless, Reynolds is
grateful to have people who are interested in participating in whatever way they feel
comfortable.
Reynolds said that this reading should not be mistaken for a poetry slam, especially considering
that those events feature more seasoned poets. Little Infinite states a number of things that
sets slam poetry apart, including the more intense use of emotions and silence.
It should be known that knowledge and skill are not expected of readers at Poem In Your
Pocket – just a love for what they’re reading. Reynolds said that these types of events bring
“students who wouldn’t have done it otherwise.”
The philosophy behind Poem In Your Pocket is that it is an inclusive and safe space for students,
staff, and others to share their “hard-to-articulate emotions,” as Reynolds described it. One
thing that she enjoys about the event is seeing how much poems mean to the readers, whether
they are written by themselves or someone else.
“They blow us away,” said Reynolds. “It’s a meaningful experience.”
The advertising and promotion surrounding Poem In Your Pocket has, for example, involved
videos of readings being played on TVs around campus. While it may be “old-fashioned” to
some, Reynolds believes it “makes people stop,” think, and really become interested in what
the event has to offer.
This is just another way that students – and really anyone – can engage and get involved with
their college peers.
Reynolds reported that she has also had students tell her that the event ignited a passion for
poetry in them that they did not realize they had. That seems to make it all the more worth it
for her.
To find out more about the event, email Caroline Reynolds at caroline.reynolds@sinclair.edu.
Related article: Tartan Spotlight: Caroline Reynolds
Carly Webster
Reporter