In honor of April as National Poetry Month, the City of New York sponsors the annual Poem in Your Pocket (PIYP) day. During the month and on PIYP day, schools and cultural organizations across the five boroughs host poetry readings, conduct writing workshops, and organize other activities celebrating poetry.

History
The Office of the Mayor, in partnership with the New York City Departments of Cultural Affairs and Education, initiated the annual City-wide PIYP day celebration in 2003. The goals of PIYP day are to showcase talented faculty and student poets in our schools, and encourage New Yorkers to embrace literacy and poetry.

In 2008, the Academy of American Poets took Poem in Your Pocket day national, allowing individuals around the country to join in and channel their inner bards. The Academy also published Poem In Your Pocket, an innovative book that allows you to select a poem you love, tear it out, and then carry it with you to read, be inspired by, and share with coworkers, family, and friends. In 2011, the Academy published an edition of the book for young poets.

Additional partners of Poem in Your Pocket day include:

The Bryant Park Corporation hosts an annual Poem in Your Pocket day Poetry Slam for New York City public schoolchildren in the Bryant Park Reading Room.  

Metro New York publishes the Mayor’s poem, the winners of the Poetweet contest, along with other poetry-related news items.

The Poetry Society of America presents a variety of annual poetry programs.