The poems of Diana Whitney slink into the arms of critics like diagrammable Marilyn Monroes, and critics melt and respond like all they can think of is how quickly they can get those poems into bed with them.

Led by poet, author and host K.D. Smith, there’s a half-dozen poets scheduled to take to the stage Saturday in Central Square.

You’re forgiven for not remembering John Cooper Clarke – he hasn’t been here since the late 1970s – but not for ignoring his return Wednesday.

A combined National Poetry Month and Senior Citizen Month brings poetry reading and writing workshops led by poet populist Lo Galluccio.

Two recent collections, one a celebration of the merging of languages and the other a political proclamation, get a reading Wednesday at a Haitian Poetry Night in Cambridge’s Main Library.

Lovers of poetry will be transported Thursday at a dual-language reading by poet, teacher and journalist Emma Romeu, whose latest work, “Renovación de la luna” (“Renovation of the Moon”) looks at love, nature and Cuba, her original country.

The National Poetry Slam reaches its climax Saturday with a finals showdown, but by that time there will already be another big poetry event under way: Boston Poetry Marathon 2013, a nearly 18-hour relay of more than 100 poets taking place over three days in Inman Square.

Prolific poet and author Jade Sylvan is not so busy gearing up for the National Poetry Slam starting here Monday to offer some advice to awkward, lovestruck male writers everywhere.

The Louder than a Bomb youth poetry slam festival arrives in late May with funding needs – and a newly poignant name.

Elementary school students are invited to send poems for consideration in The Harvard Coop’s annual K–8 Poetry Contest, with a ceremony to be held at 2 p.m. May 4 in Harvard Square.