The New York Times Knowledge Network to Co-Sponsor 'Poem in Your Pocket' Day on April 11 During National Poetry Month; The New York Times Will Publish Poems for Readers to Clip, Share and Enjoy with Their Fellow New Yorkers

Business Wire, April 3, 2003

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 3, 2003

April is designated National Poetry Month. To celebrate, The New York Times Knowledge Network is co-sponsoring "Poem in Your Pocket Day" on Friday, April 11 in collaboration with the New York City Mayor's Office, New York City Department of Education, the City University of New York (CUNY) and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. These collective efforts are dedicated to promoting literacy, poetry discussion and encouraging a sense of community spirit among New Yorkers young and old.

The goal of the citywide "Poem in Your Pocket Day" is for New Yorkers to carry a poem that holds special meaning to them and share it with a fellow New Yorker.

Through April 11 The New York Times will sponsor ads featuring a selection of memorable poems for New Yorkers to clip, read, share and enjoy with friends, classmates, co-workers, family members and others.

The phrase "Poem in Your Pocket" comes from a poem written by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers called, "Keep a Poem in Your Pocket." "Poem in Your Pocket Day" was inspired by CUNY Distinguished Professor and United States Poet Laureate Billy Collins' assertion that poetry belongs to everybody. Mayor Bloomberg will lead by example by carrying a poem with him on the day.

"The New York Times Knowledge Network is very pleased to be a part of 'Poem in Your Pocket Day' and we applaud the efforts of the Mayor, CUNY, the Department of Education and the Department of Cultural Affairs to promote the joy of poetry among New Yorkers," said Alyse Myers, vice president of marketing services for The New York Times.

The New York Times Knowledge Network is the new umbrella brand for all New York Times education initiatives.

Scholastic Press is donating 1,400 copies of the book "Sing a Song of Popcorn: Every Child's Book of Poems," edited by de Regniers along with Eva Moore, Mary Michaels White and Jan Carr. One copy will be donated to each public school library in New York City in honor of "Poem in Your Pocket Day." Hyperion is donating the same number of copies of "The Best-Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis," selected and introduced by Caroline Kennedy.

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