Jefferson Holland, Poet Laureate of Annapolis, invites poets of all ages and levels of experience to participate in a challenge in honor of National Poetry Month. Poets will be invited to read their original work in a program on Friday, April 24, 2026, at St. Luke’s Church in Eastport from 6 – 8 p.m.
“Our last program on Maryland Day was a huge success,” Jeff reports. “We heard 22 poets, each reading their original takes on local history and heritage, and we had nearly 100 poetry enthusiasts in the audience. It’s inspiring how the interest in writing poetry and attending live readings is growing in Annapolis. It’s positively magical.”
For National Poetry Month, Jefferson challenges poets of all ages and levels of experience to write a short poem on this topic: “I was there…!” Write a poem from the first-person perspective of something that happened in Annapolis at any time in history, from the pre-colonial era to present day – or even in the future.
“Poems can be composed in any category of poetic structure,” Jeff advises. “Choose a character to interpret – an historical figure or an ordinary citizen, or even yourself. Tell a story from that individual’s point of view.”
Poets must submit their intent to participate in the challenge by emailing annapolispoetlaureate@gmail.com no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 10. The first 20 poets to respond will be invited to read at the program.
Finished poems must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, April 20. Poems must fit onto one page, in 12-point type, so there will be time for the 20 poets to read their work.
Program date: Friday, April 24, 6 – 8 p.m. at St. Luke’s Church, 1101 Bay Ridge Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403. Admission is free, bring all your friends and relatives!
For more information, contact Jefferson Holland at annapolispoetlaureate@gmail.com
The Annapolis Art in Public Places Commission (AIPPC) selected Jefferson Holland as Poet Laureate for the City of Annapolis, an honorary position whose role is to promote the literary arts and literacy within the Annapolis community.