THE POETRY SOCIETY

The Poetry Society – Connecting you to the transformative power of poetry. National Poetry Competition 2021 is now open! Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2021. Now open for entries! Peggy Poole Award readings. With Saiqa Khushnood, Malika Booker + guests 9th June. Selima Hill talks to Emily Berry. “LOOKING FOR POEMS WHICH TILT THE WORLD”: THE NATIONAL Artwork by Whooli Chen L to r: National Poetry Competition judges Fiona Benson, David Constantine and Rachel Long (photo: Amaal Said). Fiona Benson, David Constantine and Rachel Long are the judges of the National Poetry Competition 2021, which is now open for entries CANADIAN POETRY ASSOCIATION Canada’s National Poetry Organization supporting Poetry The main aims of the Canadian Poetry Association are: To promote the reading, writing, publishing and preservation of poetry in Canada through the individual efforts of members; to promote communication among poets, publishers and the general public; to encourage leadership and participation from members and to encourage the

*FROM* A PART SONG

Related poems. from Formerly Tamar Yoseloff Shortlist, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from Brand New Ancients Kae Tempest Winner, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from A Part Song Denise Riley Shortlist, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from Tales from the Bridge Mario Petrucci Shortlist, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from The Mara Crossing Ruth Padel Shortlist, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from Locklines THE KINDNESS OF TREES The tree dropped a pine. And every time a girl got mad, The tree roared in the wind. In the dead mid-winter night, The tree blew a hello, goodbye; When every child was asleep in bed, The tree sang a lullaby. And when Christmas time came round. The tree’s song soared

and soared.

THE ST. CRISPIN’S DAY SPEECH FROM HENRY V And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember’d; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me. Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition: And gentlemen in

YOUNG POETS NETWORK

Young Poets Network is teaming up with People Need Nature for a fourth time, to challenge young poets to respond to the UK’s COP26 Presidency theme of Nature. Poet Louisa Adjoa Parker shows us how to imagine solutions to the climate crisis inspired by the natural world. The challenge: Write a poem or poems imagining

YOU’RE NOT BLACK

I eat with a knife and fork. “You’re not black, if you don’t use your hands to eat”. Yet I know that hands tied up the strange fruit on the trees in the south. The fruit for the crows to pluck. For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck. For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop*. I don’t

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

For poets aged 22+ (no upper age limit). Southbank Centre are looking for up to 15 poets who can flourish as part of the New Poets Collective. Whether you are still finding and honing your voice, or are on the cusp of developing your work for the page and stage, they want to hear from you. The New Poets Collective programme will be

centred

POEMS TO SOLVE THE CLIMATE CRISIS: A NEW CHALLENGE WITH Young Poets Network is teaming up with People Need Nature for a fourth time, to challenge young poets to respond to the UK’s COP26 Presidency theme of Nature.

THE POETRY SOCIETY

The Poetry Society – Connecting you to the transformative power of poetry. National Poetry Competition 2021 is now open! Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2021. Now open for entries! Peggy Poole Award readings. With Saiqa Khushnood, Malika Booker + guests 9th June. Selima Hill talks to Emily Berry. “LOOKING FOR POEMS WHICH TILT THE WORLD”: THE NATIONAL Artwork by Whooli Chen L to r: National Poetry Competition judges Fiona Benson, David Constantine and Rachel Long (photo: Amaal Said). Fiona Benson, David Constantine and Rachel Long are the judges of the National Poetry Competition 2021, which is now open for entries CANADIAN POETRY ASSOCIATION Canada’s National Poetry Organization supporting Poetry The main aims of the Canadian Poetry Association are: To promote the reading, writing, publishing and preservation of poetry in Canada through the individual efforts of members; to promote communication among poets, publishers and the general public; to encourage leadership and participation from members and to encourage the

*FROM* A PART SONG

Related poems. from Formerly Tamar Yoseloff Shortlist, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from Brand New Ancients Kae Tempest Winner, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from A Part Song Denise Riley Shortlist, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from Tales from the Bridge Mario Petrucci Shortlist, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from The Mara Crossing Ruth Padel Shortlist, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from Locklines THE KINDNESS OF TREES The tree dropped a pine. And every time a girl got mad, The tree roared in the wind. In the dead mid-winter night, The tree blew a hello, goodbye; When every child was asleep in bed, The tree sang a lullaby. And when Christmas time came round. The tree’s song soared

and soared.

THE ST. CRISPIN’S DAY SPEECH FROM HENRY V And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember’d; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me. Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition: And gentlemen in

YOUNG POETS NETWORK

Young Poets Network is teaming up with People Need Nature for a fourth time, to challenge young poets to respond to the UK’s COP26 Presidency theme of Nature. Poet Louisa Adjoa Parker shows us how to imagine solutions to the climate crisis inspired by the natural world. The challenge: Write a poem or poems imagining

YOU’RE NOT BLACK

I eat with a knife and fork. “You’re not black, if you don’t use your hands to eat”. Yet I know that hands tied up the strange fruit on the trees in the south. The fruit for the crows to pluck. For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck. For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop*. I don’t

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

For poets aged 22+ (no upper age limit). Southbank Centre are looking for up to 15 poets who can flourish as part of the New Poets Collective. Whether you are still finding and honing your voice, or are on the cusp of developing your work for the page and stage, they want to hear from you. The New Poets Collective programme will be

centred

POEMS TO SOLVE THE CLIMATE CRISIS: A NEW CHALLENGE WITH Young Poets Network is teaming up with People Need Nature for a fourth time, to challenge young poets to respond to the UK’s COP26 Presidency theme of Nature. MEMBERS’ AREA LOGIN This area of the website features Members’ exclusive digital content, featuring audio and video recordings from poetry events and projects, alongside e-publications including back issues of Poetry News.Please note: The Members’ Area includes some full recordings

from poets’ sets

THE POETRY REVIEW

The world’s finest poetry quarterly “In the post: the new Poetry Review, a really vital journal of record for these stormy times when worked-on language can be our lighthouse and our lifeboat.” ⁦ – Ian McMillan on Twitter, September 2020. Since it was founded in 1912, The Poetry Review has been home to the world’s best writing – by both internationally renowned and emerging poets CONTACT US – THE POETRY SOCIETY Please note – The Poetry Society team is still working from home and that we only have access to one phone line currently.Please email us where possible. Our apologies for any delays and difficulties. Address: 22 Betterton Street London WC2H 9BX. Phone: 020 7420 9880 THE KINDNESS OF TREES The tree dropped a pine. And every time a girl got mad, The tree roared in the wind. In the dead mid-winter night, The tree blew a hello, goodbye; When every child was asleep in bed, The tree sang a lullaby. And when Christmas time came round. The tree’s song soared

and soared.

TOP TIPS FOR TEACHING POETRY Use a variety of poems past and present. Engaging students with witty, short poems is just as relevant as exposing them to Sassoon and Keats. Display poems written by your students in eye-catching attractive displays. Think outside the box in how the poems are displayed. Use props to engage all the senses. PRIMARY (5-11): PYROCLASTIC POETRY! THREE EXPLOSIVE POETRY Primary (5-11): Pyroclastic Poetry! Three Explosive Poetry Activities by Justin Coe (Part One) PRIMARY (5-11): HOW TO WRITE A MORERAPS POEM P – Personification: Describing a thing as if it were a person – The sun dances its rays in the blue sky. S – Simile: Using ‘as’ or ‘like’ to compare – The sun is like my beating heart. Step 1 – Write out the MORERAPS down the left-hand side of the page. Step 3 – Decide what the subject of your poem will be about.

AFTERNOON CINEMA

Booking information . £140 Full. £120 Senior. £ 75 Poetry Society Member/Conc. Members price single Film Class £4 On the door. In the

studio.

SHE GRRROWLS

She Grrrowls is a feminist arts night focussed on showcasing women and non-binary people in poetry and spoken word. The show consists of features acts, with a Q&A and limited open mic spaces. GERMAN WAR GRAVES PROJECT Poems. Centriole Anna Bailey 1st prize, Human Cell Atlas challenge; Epithelium Kitty Joyce 2nd prize, Human Cell Atlas challenge; Apoptosis Matilda Houston-Brown 3rd prize, Human Cell Atlas challenge; Fence Iain Twiddy 2nd Prize, National Poetry Competition 2020; Mum with Sword Jack Nicholls 3rd Prize, National Poetry Competition 2020; The Fruit of the Spirit is Love (Galatians 5:22) Marvin

THE POETRY SOCIETY

Tue 11. Feedback on your poems: Poetry Surgeries – April to June 2021. Thursday 1 April 2021, 9:00 am – Wednesday 30 June 2021, 5:00 pm. Sat 22. Freedom Across the Globe: Youth Poetry Showcase. Saturday 22 May 2021, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Nov 03. Annual Lecture Series 2021:

m nourbeSe philip.

“LOOKING FOR POEMS WHICH TILT THE WORLD”: THE NATIONAL Artwork by Whooli Chen L to r: National Poetry Competition judges Fiona Benson, David Constantine and Rachel Long (photo: Amaal Said). Fiona Benson, David Constantine and Rachel Long are the judges of the National Poetry Competition 2021, which is now open for entries

*FROM* A PART SONG

Related poems. from Formerly Tamar Yoseloff Shortlist, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from Brand New Ancients Kae Tempest Winner, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from A Part Song Denise Riley Shortlist, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from Tales from the Bridge Mario Petrucci Shortlist, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from The Mara Crossing Ruth Padel Shortlist, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from Locklines CANADIAN POETRY ASSOCIATION Canada’s National Poetry Organization supporting Poetry The main aims of the Canadian Poetry Association are: To promote the reading, writing, publishing and preservation of poetry in Canada through the individual efforts of members; to promote communication among poets, publishers and the general public; to encourage leadership and participation from members and to encourage the NIGHT SINGING IN A TIME OF PLAGUE First published in 2021. A response to John Keats' 'Ode to a Nightingale'. Commissioned by Keats House and The Poetry Society as part of the Keats200 bicentenary – a celebration of Keats’ life, works and legacy, led by Keats House, Hampstead, The Keats Foundation and the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association. #keats200 PRIMARY (5-11): PYROCLASTIC POETRY! THREE EXPLOSIVE POETRY Primary (5-11): Pyroclastic Poetry! Three Explosive Poetry Activities by Justin Coe (Part One) THE ST. CRISPIN’S DAY SPEECH FROM HENRY V And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember’d; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me. Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition: And gentlemen in PRIMARY (5-11): HOW TO WRITE A MORERAPS POEM P – Personification: Describing a thing as if it were a person – The sun dances its rays in the blue sky. S – Simile: Using ‘as’ or ‘like’ to compare – The sun is like my beating heart. Step 1 – Write out the MORERAPS down the left-hand side of the page. Step 3 – Decide what the subject of your poem will be about.

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

For poets aged 22+ (no upper age limit). Southbank Centre are looking for up to 15 poets who can flourish as part of the New Poets Collective. Whether you are still finding and honing your voice, or are on the cusp of developing your work for the page and stage, they want to hear from you. The New Poets Collective programme will be

centred

POEMS TO SOLVE THE CLIMATE CRISIS: A NEW CHALLENGE WITH Young Poets Network is teaming up with People Need Nature for a fourth time, to challenge young poets to respond to the UK’s COP26 Presidency theme of Nature.

THE POETRY SOCIETY

Tue 11. Feedback on your poems: Poetry Surgeries – April to June 2021. Thursday 1 April 2021, 9:00 am – Wednesday 30 June 2021, 5:00 pm. Sat 22. Freedom Across the Globe: Youth Poetry Showcase. Saturday 22 May 2021, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Nov 03. Annual Lecture Series 2021:

m nourbeSe philip.

“LOOKING FOR POEMS WHICH TILT THE WORLD”: THE NATIONAL Artwork by Whooli Chen L to r: National Poetry Competition judges Fiona Benson, David Constantine and Rachel Long (photo: Amaal Said). Fiona Benson, David Constantine and Rachel Long are the judges of the National Poetry Competition 2021, which is now open for entries

*FROM* A PART SONG

Related poems. from Formerly Tamar Yoseloff Shortlist, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from Brand New Ancients Kae Tempest Winner, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from A Part Song Denise Riley Shortlist, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from Tales from the Bridge Mario Petrucci Shortlist, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from The Mara Crossing Ruth Padel Shortlist, Ted Hughes Award 2012; from Locklines CANADIAN POETRY ASSOCIATION Canada’s National Poetry Organization supporting Poetry The main aims of the Canadian Poetry Association are: To promote the reading, writing, publishing and preservation of poetry in Canada through the individual efforts of members; to promote communication among poets, publishers and the general public; to encourage leadership and participation from members and to encourage the NIGHT SINGING IN A TIME OF PLAGUE First published in 2021. A response to John Keats' 'Ode to a Nightingale'. Commissioned by Keats House and The Poetry Society as part of the Keats200 bicentenary – a celebration of Keats’ life, works and legacy, led by Keats House, Hampstead, The Keats Foundation and the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association. #keats200 PRIMARY (5-11): PYROCLASTIC POETRY! THREE EXPLOSIVE POETRY Primary (5-11): Pyroclastic Poetry! Three Explosive Poetry Activities by Justin Coe (Part One) THE ST. CRISPIN’S DAY SPEECH FROM HENRY V And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember’d; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me. Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition: And gentlemen in PRIMARY (5-11): HOW TO WRITE A MORERAPS POEM P – Personification: Describing a thing as if it were a person – The sun dances its rays in the blue sky. S – Simile: Using ‘as’ or ‘like’ to compare – The sun is like my beating heart. Step 1 – Write out the MORERAPS down the left-hand side of the page. Step 3 – Decide what the subject of your poem will be about.

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

For poets aged 22+ (no upper age limit). Southbank Centre are looking for up to 15 poets who can flourish as part of the New Poets Collective. Whether you are still finding and honing your voice, or are on the cusp of developing your work for the page and stage, they want to hear from you. The New Poets Collective programme will be

centred

POEMS TO SOLVE THE CLIMATE CRISIS: A NEW CHALLENGE WITH Young Poets Network is teaming up with People Need Nature for a fourth time, to challenge young poets to respond to the UK’s COP26 Presidency theme of Nature. MEMBERS’ AREA LOGIN This area of the website features Members’ exclusive digital content, featuring audio and video recordings from poetry events and projects, alongside e-publications including back issues of Poetry News.Please note: The Members’ Area includes some full recordings

from poets’ sets

ONLINE EVENT

Annual Lecture Series 2021: m nourbeSe philip. Wednesday 3 November 2021, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Cost: Free. The Poetry Society and University of Liverpool’s Centre for New and International Writing have teamed up to present a series of three online lectures in. « Previous Events. + Export Events. ALL AGES: FOOD WRITING All ages: Food Writing. During this time of lockdown, lots of us have thought more carefully about food: some of us miss going to our favourite restaurants or cafes; some of us can’t pop to the shops for an ice cream; some us have been fasting for Ramadan. Added to this, food is so often a means of connecting with other people, of

‘breaking

SLAMBASSADORS

SLAMbassadors is The Poetry Society’s national youth poetry slam championships. Each year we search for the next generation of spoken word artists, rappers and MCs. Our spoken word programme is currently paused, but stay in touch for details of future projects. Watch the livestream of our Borderlines poetry performance with 18-25 year old THE OLD VICARAGE, GRANTCHESTER The Old Vicarage, Grantchester. (Cafe des Westens, Berlin, May 1912) Just now the lilac is in bloom, All before my little room; And in my flower-beds, I think, Smile the carnation and the pink; And down the borders, well I know,

YOUNG POETS NETWORK

Young Poets Network is teaming up with People Need Nature for a fourth time, to challenge young poets to respond to the UK’s COP26 Presidency theme of Nature. Poet Louisa Adjoa Parker shows us how to imagine solutions to the climate crisis inspired by the natural world. The challenge: Write a poem or poems imagining

GRAHAM BURCHELL

Graham Burchell. Graham Burchell was born in Canterbury and now lives in South Devon. He has an M.A. in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University. His third collection Kate was published in May 2015. He was the 2012 Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year, and is a 2013 Hawthornden Fellow. He is also chair of the Dartmoor based Moor Poets

and one

SHE GRRROWLS

She Grrrowls is a feminist arts night focussed on showcasing women and non-binary people in poetry and spoken word. The show consists of features acts, with a Q&A and limited open mic spaces. POETRY CAFE MEDITATION If you seek balance and an efficient method to release stress and learn to live at ease, join this Meditation Class for calm. Create your own personal space for breathing and finding inner peace with Mindfulness Meditation. EVENTS CALENDAR JUNE 2021 What's On. Weekly calendar view for Monday 21st June 2021 to Sunday

27th June 2021

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Look North More Often: The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree Read the new Christmas poem

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PEOPLE NEED NATURE: YOUNG PEOPLE’S WINNING POEMS PUBLISHED Our lives, whether in the city or the country, are… JULIA DONALDSON’S ‘THE CHRISTMAS PINE’ – AN ANIMATED

INTRODUCTION

Every year The Poetry Society commissions a poem, welcoming

Norway’s…

LOOK NORTH MORE OFTEN 2020 – THE NEW TRAFALGAR SQUARE CHRISTMAS TREE

POEM

The Poetry Society has commissioned a wonderful new poem,‘The

Christmas…

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Fri 11

OBSIDIAN FOUNDATION POETRY SHOWCASE Friday 11 December 2020, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Jan 20

THE EVE OF ST AGNES READ-ALONG Wednesday 20 January 2021, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

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Thu 10

1-1 FEEDBACK ON YOUR POEMS WITH MAB JONES (SKYPE OR ZOOM) Monday 1 June 2020, 12:00 pm – Thursday 31 December 2020, 9:00 pm

Thu 10

1-1 FEEDBACK ON YOUR POEMS WITH JONATHAN EDWARDS (SKYPE) Monday 1 June 2020, 12:00 pm – Thursday 31 December 2020, 9:00 pm

Thu 10

1-1 POETRY SURGERY WITH REBECCA GOSS (SKYPE) Wednesday 1 July 2020, 12:00 pm – Thursday 31 December 2020, 9:00

pm

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Give the gift of poetry this Christmas Collaborations: a Young Poets Network challenge Let's work together! Obsidian Foundation Poetry Showcase Book now - 11 December 7pm GMT

FEATURED POEM

This poem is the second-prize winner in the moon challenge on Young Poets Network (YPN), judged by Nii Parkes. Nii said of this poem, "Its apparent naivete is both musical and poignant in linking the moon with the idea of responsibility. I found the assonance of carol and carrots, which I'd never noticed before, very striking. Superb work. Short but profound."

More poetry »

CHRISTMAS MOON

BY MAX DIXON

The moon looking down at the carol singers. The moon looking down

at carrots

for the reindeer,

wishing he could eat them. THE POETRY SOCIETY was founded in 1909 to promote “a more general recognition and appreciation of poetry”.  Since then, it has grown into one of Britain’s most dynamic arts organisations, representing British poetry both nationally and internationally.  Today it has more than 4000 members worldwide and publishes _The Poetry Review_. With innovative education and commissioning programmes and a packed calendar of performances, readings and competitions , The Poetry Society champions poetry for all ages. More about the Poetry Society… TWEETS @POETRYSOCIETY FLY THE FLAG 15 hours ago Fly The Flag 2020 is here on Human Rights Day with a powerful collection of over 30 poems responding to Article 25 - the right to food, shelter, healthcare, and social security. Help us spread the word. #HumanRightsDay

#FlyTheFlag

#Knowyourrights

#protectyourrights

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THE POETRY SOCIETY 4 hours ago Congratulations to Jay Bernard, 2020 Young Writer of the Year and former Foyle Young Poet, Slambassador and winner of the Ted Hughes Award! twitter.com/YoungWriterYea… > We are so thrilled to share that #JayBernard

>

> has won the 2020 Young Writer of the Year Award for their > groundbreaking and fearless collection SURGE, exploring the New > Cross fire of 1981https://t.co/zJl79OikUA // @ChattoBooks

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> pic.twitter.com/7Z9zt1tf2r > — Young Writer Award (@YoungWriterYear) December 10, 2020

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ILYA KAMINSKY 2 days ago English Is my mother tongue. A mother tongue is not not a foreign lan lan lang language l/anguish anguish —a foreign anguish (by M. NourbeSe Philip) Retweeted by The Poetry Society

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THE POETRY SOCIETY 5 hours ago Tomorrow! Friday 7pm UK time. So many amazing poets at our Obsidian showcase: tune in for Thembe Mvula, Amilcar Sanatan, Esther Hell, Jacqueline Trimble & Aaron El Sabrout @themberain

BOOK & RT!

poetrysociety.org.uk/event/obsidian… > Obsidian Foundation Poetry Showcase

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