April poetry readings around the Sound

Poets can be found reading their work all around the Sound — not just in April, but throughout the year. Below are some highlights from the next couple of weeks:

Tonight: Susan Hutton — The poet reads from her inaugural collection, "On the Vanishing of Large Creatures" ($14.95 Carnegie Mellon). 7:30 p.m., Open Books: A Poem Emporium, 2414 N. 45th St., Seattle; free (206-633-0811 or www.openpoetrybooks.com).

Wednesday: A Celebration of the Poetry of William Dunlop — Local poet Dunlop, who died in 2005, was the author of "Caruso for the Children." Admirer Jonathan Raban and Dunlop's widow Revelle Dunlop present a reading/commemoration. 7 p.m., University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., Seattle; free (206-634-3400 or www.ubookstore.com).

Thursday: Victoria Ford, Joan Swift and Richard Wakefield — Local poets read their work. 6:30 p.m., Edmonds Bookshop, 111 Fifth Ave. S., Edmonds; free (425-775-2789 or www.edmondsbookshop.com).

Saturday: First Poetry Month Celebration — Features Washington state poet laureate Samuel Green and poets Peter Pereira and Anna Maria Hong, plus winners of the Poetry Month contest, emceed by poet Martha Silano. 7:30 p.m., Shoreline Community College Campus Theatre, 16101 Greenwood Ave. N., Shoreline; $8-$10 (206-417-4645 or www.shorelinearts.net).

Monday: Edward Hirsch — The award-winning poet, recipient of both a MacArthur "genius" award and a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a National Book Critics Circle Award winner, reads his work. 7:30 p.m., Seattle Arts & Lectures Poetry Series, Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center, Seattle; $10-$20 (206-621-2230 or www.lectures.org).

April 22: Fifth Annual Denise Levertov Award with Thomas Lynch — The poet ("Still Life in Milford") and memoirist ("The Undertaking") is presented with an award named after the British poet, who spent her last years in Seattle. 8 p.m., St. James Cathedral Hall, 804 Ninth Ave., Seattle; free (206-281-2988 or www.imagejournal.org).

April 22: Mary Oliver — The popular poet, who recently sold out a Benaroya Hall appearance, makes an appearance in Tacoma that is also sold out ... in the flesh, that is. Some tickets remain for a nearby simulcast. 7:30 p.m., Lagerquist Concert Hall (simulcast in Ingram 100), Pacific Lutheran University, Parkland; $20 (253-535-7411 or www.plu.edu/~wildhope/).

April 24: Timothy Kelly — The poet/physical therapist reads from his latest collection, "Extremities." 7:30 p.m., Open Books: A Poem Emporium, 2414 N. 45th St., Seattle; free (206-633-0811 or www.openpoetrybooks.com).

April 26: Burning Word: The Festival of Poetic Fire — Inflame your appetite for fine verse with this Whidbey Island poetry bash. Anne Waldman headlines. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Green Bank Farm, 765 Wonn Road, # A201, Greenbank; $8-$15 (206-633-2725 or www.washingtonpoets.org/burning_word.php).

Michael Upchurch: mupchurch@seattletimes.com