Poet’s Day: Date, History, Activities, Poem & Quotes

Poet's day is a term used by workers in the United Kingdom and Australia to refer to Friday as the concluding day of the work week in a lighthearted manner. The term "POETS" is an acronym for "Piss off early, tomorrow's Saturday," hence Friday is now known as "Poets Day." The POETS day is traditionally started at 3:30 p.m. "Punch out early, tomorrow's Saturday" (referring to a manual punch time clock), "Push off early, tomorrow's Saturday," and "Push off early, tomorrow's Sunday" are all variations on this theme (based on the old 6-day work week).

1. What is the Date of Poet’s Day? 

National Poets Day follows closely on the heels of Bad Poetry Day. We probably commemorate good poets on this day. Although the term "Poets Day" might refer to any poet, good or terrible. It might even be you! If you are a poet... So, on August 21, honor your inner poet. Or even a friend. Or perhaps your favorite poet. It's entirely up to you. This day is distinct from National Poetry Day in October, which also honors poets and poems.

2. Poet’s Day History 

William Sieghart established National Poetry Day in 1994, stating, "There are millions of excellent poets out there, and it's past time for them to be recognized for their work. They should not be ashamed of reading their work aloud. I want people to read poetry on the bus, in the street, at school, and at the pub." National Poetry Day is observed throughout the United Kingdom. The Radio Times published an article in 1994 titled "National Poetry Day was established to demonstrate that poetry has a place in everyone's life. It is utilized to entertain and communicate across the country, from children chanting to advertising jingles and pop tunes."

"National Poetry Day swept Ulster yesterday, transforming regular citizens into part-time bards or budding Heaneys or Wordsworths," according to the Belfast Newsletter. According to the Daily Telegraph, "the notice boards at London's Waterloo station were given up to poems about trains by T S Eliot and Auden." The Poetry Society's then-director, Chris Meade, was quoted in the Times as saying, "Readers are rediscovering the value of poetry in their lives. 

One can be read between Northern Line stations. It is well-suited to the current experience." "National Poetry Day was the trigger for a stanza bonanza," the East Anglian Daily Times wrote, "with train stations, classrooms, theaters, and supermarkets overflowing with poems and echoing to epics."

3. Poet’s Day Activities 

Create a poem

What better way to honor and encourage poetry than by composing your own? If you are unsure where to begin, begin with anything tiny. A haiku is a three-line poem of five, seven, and five syllables. Haikus can be humorous or serious, and they usually focus on nature. Once you've mastered it, try your hand at free verse. Perhaps a poem to your secret love?

Pay a visit to the American Poetry Museum

Visit the American Poetry Museum in Washington, D.C., a structure dedicated to celebrating poetry all year! It was established in 2004 and is regarded as one of the first of its kind to collect and publish poetry. The museum conducts seminars and workshops for customers to learn more about the art form and notable poets, as well as special exhibits to learn more about the art form and famous poets.

Organize a poetry slam

Bring your best literary pals for a night of fun and rhymes. Convert your living room into a makeshift coffee shop and get ready to capture photos of the performances. Friends might read one of their own works or a beloved piece by another author. There's no need for rewards (unless you want to get competitive!) - just get together to celebrate poetry.

Discover a Young Poet

There's nothing like having youngsters their own age included in a lesson to get pupils' attention. Introduce your students to Solli Raphael, a 13-year-old boy from Australia's East Coast who is the youngest ever champion of the Australian Poetry Slam. Share this wonderful poem by Solli Raphael about peace and equality with your pupils.

Write a poem about yourself

Use this printable simile poetry template to supplement their figurative language learning with a fun "like" and "as" all about me simile poem! Are they as intelligent as a fox? As vibrant as a rainbow?

4. Some Meaning Poems of Famous Poet

A Girl by Ezra Pound

The tree has entered my hands,

The sap has ascended my arms,

The tree has grown in my breast-

Downward,

The branches grow out of me, like arms.

Tree you are,

Moss you are,

You are violets with wind above them.

A child - so high - you are,

And all this is folly to the world.

A Poison Tree by William Blake

I was angry with my friend;

I told my wrath, my wrath did end.

I was angry with my foe:

I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears,

Night & morning with my tears:

And I sunned it with smiles,

And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night,

Till it bore an apple bright.

And my foe beheld it shine,

And he knew that it was mine.

And into my garden stole.

When the night had veiled the pole;

In the morning glad I see,

My foe stretched beneath the tree.

5. Poet’s Day Quotes

“There is no money in poetry, but then there is no poetry in money, either. “– Robert Graves

“Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words.” – Edgar Allan Poe

“There is no Frigate like a Book / To take us Lands away, / Nor any Coursers like a Page / Of prancing Poetry.” – Emily Dickinson

“Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood.” – T. S. Eliot

“If you tell a novelist, ‘Life’s not like that’, he has to do something about it. The poet simply replies, ‘No, but I am.’” – Philip Larkin

“Poetry is not the books in the library. Poetry is the encounter of the reader with the book, the discovery of the book.” – Jorge Luis Borges

“As a poet I would say everything should be able to come into a poem but I can’t put toothbrushes in a poem. I really can’t.” – Sylvia Plath

“Poetry is play. I’d even rather have you think of it as a sport. For instance, like football.” – Robert Frost

“An age which is incapable of poetry is incapable of any kind of literature except the cleverness of a decadence.” – Raymond Chandler

“Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.” – Carl Sandburg

“Poetry is life distilled.” – Gwendolyn Brooks

“Painting is silent poetry, poetry is eloquent painting.” – Simonides

“Prose is a museum where all the old weapons of poetry are kept.” – T. E. Hulme