Evie Robinson
Poetry is heralded as one of the most expressive and emotionally-charged forms of literature. From the work of classical poets to modern poetry tackling contemporary issues, the medium often tugs at the heartstrings to explore a range of ideas, employing stylistic and formal variation to do so. But why should poetry matter to us?
National Poetry Day is celebrated every year in an effort to encourage people across the country to read more poetry. It is held on the first Thursday of October each year. For 2021, that’s Thursday 7th October, and the theme for this year is choice. It’s a fitting theme for many of us: since lockdown ended and restrictions were eased, life has been full of choices. Whether to go out, socialise and mix with people again, or stay at home in the knowledge that Covid-19 is still out there. Whether to wear a mask, or not. Life is returning to some sense of normal in many ways: for university students, the freedom to make our own choices about how to socialise and navigate life on campus has arisen once more.
This day dedicated to marking the value of poetry is arguably the artform’s most visible day of the year, illustrating the ways in which poetry contributes to the fabric of society.
Representatives at the National Literacy Trust explained the importance of the occasion:
“The Day is fun, it starts conversations, it encourages love of language – and best of all, it’s open to absolutely everyone to join in, quietly or noisily, in rewarding and enjoyable ways.”
“Over the years we’ve had poetry in schools, poetry in burger vans, poetry on the news, poetry on the side of buildings, poetry strapped to the legs of carrier pigeons, and much much more.”
It has been recognised that childhood and the teenage years are important times for literary development, as well as creative evolution, with many children writing or reading poetry as forms of expression. In a survey conducted by the National Literacy Trust in 2018, almost half of 8-18 year olds said they engage with poetry in their spare time, as either listeners, viewers, performers, readers or writers. In its discovery that children receiving free school meals are still more engaged by poetry than their wealthier school-peers, the NLT described poetry as the “silver bullet” needed to tackle socio-economic barriers in order to ensure full participation amongst young people in education and culture. They provide resources each year for teachers, students and families to engage with poetry.
So, what will you be reading to mark the occasion? Here are a few of my personal recommendations (as a literature student and poetry lover):
The Romantics: Blake, Wordsworth and Keats
Studying the Romantic Period was possibly my first major introduction to poetry. Reading it throughout GCSE, A-Level and now degree-level study, I’m constantly developing an understanding of the movement’s complex and intricate style, and its treatment of wider ideas about nature, philosophy and politics. The vivid descriptions and imagery are definitely worth your attention.
Sylvia Plath
A canonical female writer, heralded for her advancement of confessional poetry, Sylvia Plath’s work is a must-read for any budding feminists. Her poetry collection Ariel, as well as her tragic novel The Bell Jar, were two works instrumental in my literary development.
A Poem for Every Night of the Year: edited by Allie Esiri
This beautiful book is probably my number one recommendation for anyone wanting to get into reading poetry. Entailing a range of work by different authors across time, the book provides a daily poem, reflective of the time of year and change in the seasons. It’s a great way to become accustomed to reading poetry, and incorporating it into your nighttime routine. The illustrations by Papio Press are also marvellous.
Audre Lorde
Audre Lorde’s literary presence was and still is groundbreaking, for her moving words as well as everything she embodied and stood for. Her collection of poems and essays Your Silence Will Not Protect You became a powerful force for change and call to action in tackling intersectional issues of race prejudice, gender and sexuality. In her essay Poetry is Not a Luxury, Lorde describes poetry as “the skeleton architect of our lives”.
Take this time to mark National Poetry Day, and think about what poetry means to you. As a literature student, I’ve always loved poetry for its aesthetic qualities, often performative complexity and canonical significance. But the more I read different works of poetry by a range of authors and across literary history, I’ve come to realise that the value of poetry is not only in its literary beauty, but its ability to explore aspects of the human psyche and what it means to be human.
“Poetry is the one place where people can speak their original human mind. It is the outlet for people to say in public what is known in private”
Allen Ginsburg
Featured image courtesy of Thought Catalog on Unsplash. Image license can be found here. No changes have been made to this image.
Evie Robinson
Final year BA English student at University College London. President of Pi Media, UCL's student publication. Arts, culture and current affairs writer and aspiring journalist.