BY KAREN BOSSICK

Free Range poets will roam wherever the words take them when the Hailey Public Library hosts another open mic night for poetry lovers on Thursday, April 25.

The event, which will be held at Hailey Town Center West, celebrates National Poetry Month.

Some of the open mic readers will be Tom Blanchard, Marshall Ralph, Sue Bailey, Kristin Fletcher and Les Shanahan. Others are invited to step up to the mic to read their own poems or favorites written by other poets, as well.

“We’ve been delightfully surprised by the response to our poetry nights,” said Kristin Fletcher, the library’s programs and engagement manager. “Turns out there are a lot of wonderful writers here eager to share their passion for poetry. We want to encourage even more poets to read and thought an open mic night would be the perfect opportunity for both young and old.”

Understandably, some poetry lovers may be shy about reading their own work. That’s why people are welcome to read poems written by someone else.

“It’s all about sharing the love of the written words with our community,” said Fletcher.

Each poet will have five minutes to read. Readers are encouraged to sign up in advance by emailing kristin.fletcher@haileypubliclibrary.org.