Celebrating National Poetry Month…with zombie haiku!

In 1996, the Academy of American Poets established “National Poetry Month” — a month-long celebration of poetry held every April in the U.S.  I’m what I like to call a “fair weather” poetry fan. I don’t faithfully read the genre, but every now and again I absolutely fall in love with a poem. One such poem is “i carry your heart with me(i carry it in” by E. E. Cummings. But imagine my surprise when I found myself checking out (with delight)…zombie haiku?!?

YALSA has put together so many great award/reading lists on their site. Recently, through YALSA’s “best of the best,” I explored the Top Ten 2011 Popular Paperbacks list and found a title that instantly grabbed my attention:  Ryan Mecum’s Zombie Haiku: Good Poetry for Your…Brains. Ryan Mecum’s very nifty web site features some of his zombie haiku (if you want to get a sneak peek).  Admittedly, I haven’t read much of the now popular zombie literature that’s been coming through the YA lit pipeline, but sign me up for more zombie poets! And if you want to get a more personalized feel for what zombie haiku is all about, check out the fan-made youtube video by “rustedmoth” below (which gave me more than a chuckle or two). For those who may be squeamish about blood and gore, be warned that there is a little of both in the video (though in a relatively controlled fashion for a zombie tribute piece) :)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd1Ws9QnmZY&w=640&h=390]
I’m curious about what kinds of poetry others have been reading or checking out in the YA lit field these days…

–Nicole Dolat

Currently reading Bakuman, vol. 1

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