In recent months, Bwog readers have risen from limerick-fearing philistines to haiku-handy aesthetes...and just in time for Poetry Month! And after all, rainy April is the perfect time for indoor sports like contemplation and reflection.

For a gentle night on the town, consider this listing of poetry events. For the heavy-hearted and heavy-handed who can't bear to click the link, a few highlights, after this link:

- On April 19, Jeff Sacks reads from his translations of the poems of Mahmoud Darwish. No, the Columbia-affiliated Jeff Sachs you're thinking of hasn't taken up Arabic poetry translation. This Columbia Ph.D and newly-minted UC Riverside professor reads verses on Palestinian oppression, despair, and resistance. Fun!

- On April 21, Mark Strand, the Bwog-endorsed poet and Culpa-endorsed prof, reads at the 11th St. Bar. Drink and be merry! Or contemplative, rather.

Finally, Knopf (KN pronounced as in knish), offers a poem a day in your email inbox. Mark Strand, by the way, is a Knopf poet. Sign up here, but beware the promise of "extras"--read: shameless corporate promotions--that will fluff your inbox for the month to come.