Join us for an evening where words breathe, linger, crack open, and shine.

The Twig Book Shop invites you to our National Poetry Month Open Mic Night on Tuesday, April 21 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at our shop in the heart of The Historic Pearl.

The evening will be anchored by two wonderful voices in the poetry community — published poets Carlos Cumpian and Cynthia Gallaher — who will help guide the night and share in celebrating the many forms poetry can take.

Whether you are a seasoned poet, a first-time reader, or a lover of language who simply wants to listen — ALL ARE WELCOME.

Bring your voice, your story, your rhythm, your humor, your heartbreak, your wonder. We celebrate ALL FORMS OF POETRY, including (but never limited to):

Spoken word, slam poetry, free verse, formal verse, sonnets, haiku, tanka, ghazals, villanelles, narrative poetry, lyrical poetry, confessional poetry, surreal poetry, performance poetry, experimental poetry, ekphrastic poetry, nature poetry, love poetry, political poetry, faith poetry, protest poetry, story poems, micro-poetry, prose poetry, blackout poetry, found poetry, concrete poetry — and everything in between.

If it lives in language — if it beats, sings, whispers, or shouts — there is a place for it here.

Come early. Grab a seat. Open your heart. And if you’re brave enough, step up to the mic.

Because on this night, every voice matters. Every word belongs. Every poem has a home.

And since it’s poetry night… here’s a little taste:

Come as you are,
with your notebook worn thin,
with your truths trembling on your tongue,
with your lines unfinished and wild.

We’ll make room for your breath,
we’ll lean into your silence,
we’ll listen like the world is beginning
right here, right now, in your voice.

We can’t wait to hear you. 💛