BELLE — April marks National Poetry Month, a nationwide celebration that celebrates poetry and its place in everyday life, while also showcasing the importance of the arts in rural communities like those across Maries County.

Established in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, National Poetry Month was created to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry across the country. Each April, schools, libraries and local organizations host readings, workshops and events designed to engage people of all ages.

While large cities often host high-profile festivals, poetry remains especially impactful in rural areas, where access to arts programming can be limited. In communities like Belle, poetry is often introduced through classrooms, open mic nights and local events, offering residents a way to process experiences, preserve memories and connect through shared interests.

For Missouri Poet Laureate Justin Hamm, reaching those communities is central to his role.

“I think for someone like me who has worked in, written about and performed in rural communities around Missouri for years, serving as poet laureate means a chance to further that work,” Hamm said. “There are counties where, maybe, a poet laureate has never gone before, or where most people don’t know that there is a poet laureate. To be able to run workshops and read poems in those places provides an opportunity to expose poetry to people who don’t normally experience it, to show them how art can function as a communication tool, an outlet, a source of local pride and a center communities can rally around.”

Hamm said the impact of art in rural communities is significant.

“Art matters a lot in places like that. People in rural communities have so much feeling, so much imagination, so much need to make meaning out of their lives, but they often get fewer opportunities and fewer invitations,” Hamm said. “So when art does show up, it can really matter. An experienced artist or teacher who visits can light fires quickly because there’s often a hunger in rural artists. I’d seen that myself in rural communities even before I became poet laureate.”

His time in the role has reinforced his belief in local storytelling.

“Really, it’s just made me believe in it even more. People want to hear stories that feel close to home. They want to hear language that sounds like where they’re from or recognizes the people they know. Local storytelling reminds people their lives are worth talking about,” Hamm said.

Despite that demand, Hamm pointed out rural artists often face barriers that limit their opportunities.

“A lot of it comes down to access. Access to arts spaces, funding, audiences, connections, all of those things,” Hamm said. “Can they take workshops or courses with good teachers when they’re just starting out? Can they get the materials they need to create? Does the community seem to value what they do? If the answer is no, those are all issues that frustrate artists and hinder their development.”

Still, he has seen how access to the arts can change lives.

“I’ve seen kids light up when they realize they have something to say and that somebody’s actually listening,” Hamm said. “I’ve seen people who didn’t think of themselves as creative suddenly make something they’re proud of.”

In Belle, organizations like Osage Arts Community (OAC) play a key role in making those opportunities available. Hamm, a longtime supporter and advocate of the organization, praised the work they are involved in.

“In a small town, a place like that can become a real point of pride. It gives people somewhere to gather, somewhere to make things, somewhere to encounter something new without feeling like they have to leave home to get it,” Hamm said.

He said accessibility is one of the reasons the organization is effective.

“I think they do a good job of making people feel welcome. There’s nothing pretentious at all about OAC,” Hamm said.

Having a dedicated space for the arts can also change how communities view creative work.

“There’s an instant credibility when the arts have a visible home. That changes how people think about them. Without a space, art can feel pretty fringe. With a space, it becomes part of the life of the town,” Hamm said.

Programs such as residencies and visiting artists also help strengthen rural arts communities.

“They can bring in new energy. New ideas, new ways of working, new conversations,” Hamm said.

Hamm said he has seen that impact firsthand in Belle.

“That’s one of the encouraging things about a place like that. I remember in the early open mics I attended that some younger folks came in to sing,” Hamm said. “I’ve also seen beginning poets hanging around the OAC who have developed over time and even lead their own poetry groups now.”

He added that one of the most important roles organizations like OAC play is connecting people.

“Part of it is just putting them in the same room together,” Hamm said. “Letting people talk, make things, ask questions, be around the work without a bunch of barriers. That helps people see art as part of ordinary life, not something sealed off from it.”

Beyond cultural enrichment, the arts contribute to stronger communities by promoting connection, encouraging dialogue and building a sense of pride. They also support local economies by drawing visitors, supporting small businesses and highlighting the unique aspects of rural areas.

As National Poetry Month comes to a close, the reminder that poetry and the arts are not limited to major cities or large institutions but are a vital part of community life in places like Belle and across Maries County, shaped by rural voices with shared experiences and the belief that art is worth creating.