National Poetry Day

 

National Poetry Day is on the 1st of October. It is always held on the first Thursday of October and for 2026 it is the first day of the month.

This gives you an excuse to read, think about and celebrate poetry in all its forms. Poems include everything from song lyrics to Shakespearian Sonnets (and everything in between). 

Maybe you have a favourite poem or poet? Or don't especially like poetry! If so, this is a time to dip in. Most poems are short so it's any easy art form to try! The theme for 2026 is Wonder. There are more details here: Hot Poets and the fabulous Michael Rosen.

You can explore past highlights or future resources on poetry via the Forward Arts Foundation or The Poetry Society.

Poetry in the Woods

I was invited to run a poetry session for a retreat earlier this week. It was a Rookhow, a beautiful old building with its own ancient woodland in a quiet corner of the Lake District. Typically for a summer's day in the Lakes, it rained and was quite chilly but this did not detract from the writing.

We chatted for a while in the beautiful old hall then wandered into the woods and wrote. After around half an hour we shared what we had written, standing under the trees as rain dripped onto our shelter.

It was a peaceful and contemplative way to write and we produced some interesting pieces. Afterwards we walked back to the hall and talked about writing in nature and poetry about the natural world. Overall it was a wonderful way to spend a rainy day in August, one that I hope to repeat again soon.