National Poetry Day 2020 | All the poetry content you need!
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Read, watch or listen - get into poetry this #NationalPoetryDay

Happy National Poetry Day!


In honour of this wonderful day, I've put together a whole catalogue of content, allowing you to enjoy the wonder of poetry in any and every medium. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy as you scroll through my selection of poems for you to read, watch or listen to.

National Poetry Day Guide

THE ULTIMATE POETRY GUIDE - with poems to watch, read, buy and enjoy!


From poetry books and online blogs to short films and stage performances, there are so many ways to access and enjoy poetry today. I believe poetry can and should reach us all. It should impact the ways we think. Encourage us to express. Poetry should connect.


Whether you love reading, prefer watching visuals or enjoy bitesize quotes, I've put together this catalogue - brimming with poetry content in different forms to cater to us all! (Wooo!)


Poems to Watch on National Poetry Day


Poetry is to be performed!


So, if you don't enjoy reading and are more of a visual person, I've linked some captivating poetry performance videos that you will love. With poetry from the likes of Sophia Thakur and Suli Breaks, to George the Poet and Joseph Solomon. Covering a range of themes including love, relationships, passion and so much more. A few personal favourites you're sure to enjoy!







If you're interested in discovering more poets and spoken word artists, I've put together a whole post dedicated to engaging videos you can watch.


Poetry performance

Click the link above to watch more of my favourite poetry performances!



Poems to Read on National Poetry Day


If you're more of a reader (less of a watcher), I've collated some well-known, thought provoking poems that you can enjoy reading. Featuring poetry from The Bard himself and greats including Maya Angelou and John Donne, you'll certainly receive something new by reading these poems!


Talking In Bed by Philip Larkin

Talking in bed ought to be easiest, Lying together there goes back so far, An emblem of two people being honest. Yet more and more time passes silently. Outside, the wind's incomplete unrest Builds and disperses clouds in the sky, And dark towns heap up on the horizon. None of this cares for us. Nothing shows why At this unique distance from isolation It becomes still more difficult to find Words at once true and kind, Or not untrue and not unkind.

 

Sonnet 127 by William Shakespeare


In the old age black was not counted fair,

Or if it were, it bore not beauty's name;

But now is black beauty's successive heir,

And beauty slandered with a bastard shame:

For since each hand hath put on Nature's power,

Fairing the foul with Art's false borrowed face,

Sweet beauty hath no name, no holy bower,

But is profaned, if not lives in disgrace.

Therefore my mistress' eyes are raven black,

Her eyes so suited, and they mourners seem

At such who, not born fair, no beauty lack,

Sland'ring creation with a false esteem:

Yet so they mourn becoming of their woe,

That every tongue says beauty should look so.

 

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou


You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? ’Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room.


 

Days by Philip Larkin


What are days for? Days are where we live.    They come, they wake us    Time and time over. They are to be happy in:    Where can we live but days?

Ah, solving that question Brings the priest and the doctor    In their long coats Running over the fields.

 

The Flea by John Donne


Mark but this flea, and mark in this,    How little that which thou deniest me is;    It sucked me first, and now sucks thee, And in this flea our two bloods mingled be;    Thou know’st that this cannot be said A sin, nor shame, nor loss of maidenhead,     Yet this enjoys before it woo,

    And pampered swells with one blood made of two,

    And this, alas, is more than we would do.


 

It doesn't stop there, you can find a whole host of poetry online on sites such as the Poetry Foundation, Write out Loud, Poemsource and even my very own Poetry Platfrom!


Words of Faith poetry book

Click the link above to read some poems by yours truly!


DISCOVER MORE ON MY POETRY BLOGS:



Poetry Books to Buy on National Poetry Day


Interested in reading more poetry but don't know where to start? Below are some picks of amazing poetry books to get you started. Just click the links to find out more!

Poetry Books pile

For more on these titles, you can read my full post on poetry book recommendations.


Poetry Books to read

Click the link above to read my detailed list of poetry book recommendations!



Best Quotes for National Poetry Day


For the love of poems and poets, here are some amazing quotes capturing the power of poetry.

A poet is, before anything else, a person who is passionately in love with language. — W. H. Auden
Poetry is finer and more philosophical than history; for poetry expresses the universal, and history only the particular. — Aristotle
Poetry lifts the veil from the hidden beauty of the world, and makes familiar objects be as if they were not familiar. — Percy Bysshe Shelley
Making the private world public, that's what the poet does. — Allen Ginsberg
What makes you a poet is a gift for language, an ability to see into the heart of things, and an ability to deal with important unconscious material. When all these things come together, you’re a poet. — Erica Jong
Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved and blooded with emotions, all held together by the delicate, tough skin of words. — Paul Engle
It is a test [that] genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood. — T. S. Eliot
Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words. — Edgar Allan Poe
The poet is the priest of the invisible. — Wallace Stevens
Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen. ― Leonardo da Vinci

About National Poetry Day:


"National Poetry Day is the annual mass celebration on the first Thursday of October that encourages all to enjoy, discover and share poetry. 

This year, National Poetry Day takes place on 1st October 2020, and the theme is Vision. We encourage you to get involved with activities nationwide on the day, to See It Like a Poet and to #ShareAPoem.

National Poetry Day generates an explosion of activity nationwide, thousands of amazing events across the UK – on doorsteps and at kitchen tables, in gardens and streets, in schools, libraries and public spaces both online and offline – all celebrating poetry’s power to bring people together."

To find out more about National Poetry Day, visit nationalpoetryday.co.uk


"When is National Poetry Day 2020? Thursday 1 October 2020.

What is the theme of National Poetry Day 2020? The theme this year is Vision! The strapline is See It Like a Poet. 

What is the history of National Poetry Day? National Poetry Day was founded in 1994 by the charity Forward Arts Foundation, whose mission is to celebrate excellence in poetry and increase its audience. The Day enjoys the support of the BBC, Arts Council England and leading literary and cultural organisations, alongside booksellers, publishers, libraries and schools."

For more FAQs about National Poetry Day, visit nationalpoetryday.co.uk/about-npd/


I hope this post has inspired and provoked you to engage with poetry even more! Whatever avenue you prefer, get involved this National Poetry Day and feel free to share your thoughts below.


Faithful xoxo

 

About the Author:


Faith Olajuyigbe Poet

Faith is a Birmingham based writer. She has a background in drama with a focus on writing poetry, blogs and more.

Through her work, she explores themes such as love, life, faith, passion and purpose. Faith is a true creative at heart and also enjoys videography and editing.


Her debut poetry book, Words of Faith, is available to purchase in store and on Amazon.


 

Instagram: @faithdneto

Twitter: @faithdneto

Facebook: @faithdneto

YouTube: Faith Dias Neto


 

Please note: No copyright infringement is intended in this post. The use of content is strictly for the purpose of education, review and is in line with fair dealing governed by Sections 29 and 30 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.


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