A month of public poetry

April 9

Susan Rich and Martha Silano

Poets read from their new books, "Cures Include Travel" (Rich) and "Blue Positive" (Silano), 7 p.m., University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., Seattle; free (206-634-3400 or www.ubookstore.com ).

Youth Speaks Seattle's Spring Block Party

Workshops and performances by spoken-word and hip-hop artists, 5-10 p.m., Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., Seattle; free (206-322-7030 or www.hugohouse.org; to register for workshops, contact: yssinfo@gmail.com).

April 10

Charles Simic

The Pulitzer Prize-winning poet ("My Noiseless Entourage") speaks at Seattle Arts & Lectures, 7:30 p.m., Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St., Seattle; co-sponsored by Open Books: A Poem Emporium; $10-$20 (206-621-2230 or www.lectures.org).

Bart Baxter Performance Poetry Competition

Eight finalists compete for a $300 prize in an event sponsored by the Washington Poets Association, 7 p.m., Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., Seattle; free (206-322-7030 or www.hugohouse.org).

Dead Poet's Society Reading

Open-mike reading of "your favorite poem by a published (and deceased) poet," 7 p.m., University Book Store, Cafe Fireside, 4326 University Way N.E., Seattle; free (206-634-3400 or www.ubookstore.com).

Last SemiFinal Slam, featuring Nora Smithhisler

Spoken-word contestants challenge each other, 8 p.m., Seattle Slam, ToST Lounge, 513 N. 36th St., Seattle; $5, 21 and over only, ID required at door (206-547-0240 or www.tostlounge.com).

April 11

Judith Roche

The poet reads from her latest collection, "Wisdom of the Body," 7:30 p.m., Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main St., Seattle; free (206-624-6600 or www.elliottbaybook.com ).

April 12

Joshua Beckman and Ilya Kaminsky

Nextbook presents two poets reading, 7:30 p.m., Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Avenue N.W., Seattle; $6-$8 (888-219-5222 or www.nextbook.org ).

April 14

John Burges , Jed Meyers and others

Monthly reading includes featured poets and open mike, Ugly Mug Coffee House, 11425 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle; free (206-772-3751 ).

April 15

Jourdan Imani Keith and friends

Seattle Public Library and City Council President Nick Licata celebrate Keith's term as 2006-07 Seattle Poet Populist. Keith will be joined by poets Felicia Gonzalez and Brian McGuigan, 3 p.m., Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave.; free (206-386-4636 or www.spl.org).

April 16

Kathleen Flenniken

Poet reads from "Famous," winner of the 2005 Prairie Schooner Book Prize in Poetry, and is joined by John Keeble, whose short-story collection, "Nocturnal America," won the 2005 Prairie Schooner Book Prize for Fiction, 7 p.m., University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., Seattle; free (206-634-3400 or www.ubookstore.com ).

Tung-Hui Hu

The San Francisco poet reads from his new collection, "Mine," 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m., Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main St., Seattle; free (206-624-6600 or www.elliottbaybook.com ).

April 17

Wild Card Slam, featuring Blair

More slamming. Seattle Slam, ToST Lounge, 513 N. 36th St., Seattle; $5, 21 and over only, ID required at door (206-547-0240, www.tostlounge.com or www.poetryfestival.org).

April 17-19

Youth Poetry Reading

Poets ages 18 and under are invited to share their work and their favorite poets' work at an open-mike reading, 7 p.m., University Book Store, Cafe Fireside, 4326 University Way N.E., Seattle; free (206-634-3400 or www.ubookstore.com).

April 19

Bruce Beasley

The Bellingham poet reads from "The Corpse Flower: New and Selected Poems," the latest in the University of Washington Press' prestigious Pacific Northwest Series, edited by Linda Bierds , 7:30 p.m., Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main St., Seattle; free (206-624-6600 or www.elliottbaybook.com ).

Kathleen Halme , Jim Gurley and Jeremy Voigt

Three Northwest poets read their work, 6:30 p.m., Ballard Branch of Seattle Public Library, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W., Seattle; free (206-684-4089 or www.spl.org ).

Madeline DeFrees , Thomas Aslin and others

Two poets read, followed by open mike, 7 p.m., SoulFood Books, 15748 Redmond Way, Redmond; free (425-881-5309 ).

April 20

Eric McHenry and Catherine Wing

Two poets read from their books, "Potscrubber Lullabies" (McHenry) and "Enter Invisible" (Wing), 8 p.m., Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main St., Seattle; free (206-624-6600 or www.elliottbaybook.com ).

Michael C. Ford

Poet reads, followed by open mike, 7 p.m., Bookworm Exchange, 4860 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle; free (206-722-6633 ).

April 20-22

2007 Seattle Poetry Festival

Three days of readings and workshops, featuring Matthew Rohrer, Christine Hume, Heather McHugh and many others, co-presented by Eleventh Hour Productions and Richard Hugo House, at varying hours, at Richard Hugo House, Pravda Studios and Chop Suey; $12-$15 tickets available from www.brownpapertickets.com (206-322-7030 or www.hugohouse.org; see www.poetryfestival.org for full schedule).

April 21

J. Glenn Evans , Sheri Harper and Cathy Ruiz

Three poets read, followed by open mike, 4 p.m., Newberry Books, 561 N.E. Ravenna Blvd., Seattle; free (206-682-1268 ).

April 23

Juliet Patterson and Jeannine Hall Gailey

Two poets read from their new collection of free verse, 7 p.m., Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., Seattle; free (206-322-7030 or www.hugohouse.org ).

Poetry Read Around

Open-mike event, 6:30 p.m., Southwest Branch of Seattle Public Library, 9010 35th Ave. S.W.; free (206-684-7455 or www.spl.org).

Thomas Hubbard and others

Poet reads his work, followed by open mike, 6:30 p.m., P&G Speakeasy Cafe, 15614 Main St., Duvall; free (425-844-2766 ).

April 24

Judith Roche

The poet reads from her latest collection, "Wisdom of the Body," 7 p.m., Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., Seattle, presented by Raven Chronicles; donations requested (206-322-7030 or www.hugohouse.org ).

Susan Rich and Barbara Sjoholm

Poet Rich and writer Sjoholm read their work, 7 p.m., Wide World Books & Maps, 4411A Wallingford Ave N., Seattle; free (206-634-3453 ).

April 25

Katherine Grace Bond , Sarah Love , Laura Snyder and Joannie Kervran Stangeland

PoetsWest presents poets reading, followed by open mike, 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 18025 Garden Way N.E., Woodinville; free (425-398-1990 ).

April 26

Roberto Ascalon , Angela Omulepu and Kyle Ricci

Three poets read their work, 6:30 p.m., Ballard Branch of Seattle Public Library, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W., Seattle; free (206-684-4089 or www.spl.org ).

Jack Prelutsky

The winner of the Children's Poet Laureate award from the Poetry Foundation reads from his humorous verse for kids, 1 p.m., Columbia Branch of Seattle Public Library, 4721 Rainier Ave. S.; free (206-386-1908 or www.spl.org).

April 28

Burning Word Poetry Festival

Washington Poets Association presents a "festival of poetic fire," featuring readings and workshops, 9 a.m. -7 p.m., Greenbank Farm, Whidbey Island; $5-$15 (360-331-7099; for complete schedule, visit www.washingtonpoets.org).

April 29

Billy Collins

Former U.S. Poet Laureate appears at a fundraiser for the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council, reading 3 p.m., book sale and signing 4:30 p.m., Bainbridge Island High School gymnasium, 9330 N.E. High School Road, Bainbridge Island; $10-$20 ($50 family of four, $100 patrons) (206-842-7901 or www.artshum.org).

April 30

Teen Poetry Slam

Bring words and attitude. 6:30 p.m., Northgate Branch of Seattle Public Library, 10548 Fifth Ave. N.E., Seattle; free (206-386-1980 or www.spl.org).