National Poetry Day is a nationwide celebration of poetry which takes place every October.  This year the theme is Truth and this year National Poetry Day falls on 3rd October.   "National Poetry Day generates an explosion of poetry-based activity across our communities" said local poet Ian Henery.  "Literally thousands of amazing events takes place in schools. libraries, bookshops, hospitals, trains, buses and even in the workplace.  It`s a real explosion of activity.  The project celebrates poetry`s power to bring people together." 

Ian points out that 2019 is the 25th anniversary of National Poetry Day and he expects the celebrations to run all year long.  "National Poetry Day is an annual celebration that inspires people to enjoy, discover and share poems" he said.  "Everyone is invited to join in, whether by organising events, displays, competitions or by simply posting favourite lines of poetry on social media using #nationalpoetryday."  

National Poetry Day was founded in 1994 by the charity Forward Arts Foundation whose mission is to celebrate excellence in poetry and increase it`s audience.  National Poetry Day has engaged millions of people across the country reading, listening, writing and listening to poetry.  The annual National Poetry Day has the support of the BBC, Arts Council England, the Royal Mail and leading literary and cultural organisations like the Poetry Society.    

"It`s completely free" said Ian Henery.  "Anyone can put on an event and they come in all shapes and sizes: individuals, groups and organisations.  All that is requested is that if people use the official logos they post them on social media with the official hashtag #nationalpoetryday."  

National Poetry Day is loosely themed and in 2019 the theme is Truth.  "The theme is meant to kickstart inspiration", Ian Henery said "rather than being prescriptive.  What is the Truth?  or a Big Lie? This is what we will be exploring this year".   Over the years people have celebrated National Poetry Day in burger vans, schools, libraries, poetry on the news, poetry on the side of buildings, poetry strapped to the legs of carrier pigeons and poetry in the workplace.    

"How will you celebrate it this year?" asks Ian Henery "because what is the truth?  How many philosophers wish they had the answer? "  

Here is Ian Henery`s contribution to National Poetry Day 2019:

The Tooth, Whole Tooth & Nothing But The Tooth (for Baby Grace)  

"My tooth has come out!", the little girl said;

"Keep it safe for Tooth Fairy", I replied.

"Put it under your pillow, go to bed

The stars are out and moon is in the sky: The tooth, whole tooth and nothing but the tooth".    

"Tooth`s gone!  It was in tissue, where is it?"

"Well, I`ve sat here with a poetry book

And waiting for the Tooth Fairy`s visit;

Go back upstairs and under pillow look:

The tooth, whole tooth and nothing but the tooth".  

"I know you`re the Tooth Fairy without wings;

It`s you, Dad, you always give 20p

And you`re Santa - I know everything!

Easter eggs?  You`re the Rabbit, don`t fool me:

The tooth, whole tooth and nothing but the tooth".  

"Game`s up, I confess, - do you want money?

A master of cross examination,

A lawyer if you were not so funny.

What do you want?  What`s your proclamation?

The tooth, whole tooth and nothing but the tooth."  

"WHERE`S MY TOOTH!!!!!!!  I want to know where it`s gone!

I put it with my teddy and locket;

You`ll be sorry, poetry is not fun - What`s that? 

Oh. My tooth`s still in my pocket:

The tooth, whole tooth and nothing but the tooth."