Tom Dylan

National Poetry Day

Today is National Poetry Day,

all across the UK poets

will be pouring their hearts

and souls on to the page,

 

today is National Poetry day,

today people are listening

today people will hear our words

and take them to heart

and heed our craft or art.

 

Today poetry is headline news,

like that 90s band getting back together.

Poetry is the hottest ticket in town,

but poetry doesn’t come

with a hefty price tag,

or dynamic ticketing.

Poetry does not sell-out in minutes.

 

Poetry will never forget her roots,

Poetry has a kind word and a massive hug.

Poetry has the kettle on

when you’ve had such a bad day.

Poetry knows how you feel.

 

Tomorrow, the day after

National Poetry Day,

when everyone has moved on,

to the latest five-minute fad,

we’ll still be scribbling away

on these spindrift pages,

hitting the typewriter keys

until our fingers bleed.

 

Tomorrow, the day after

National Poetry Day,

when the world has a brand new obsession,

poetry is going back underground,

and will be our little secret

once again.