‘Blue’ by Julia Bird for National Poetry Day 2016

On October 6th, it’s National Poetry Day 2016, the annual mass celebration of poetry and all things poetical. The theme for this year is ‘Messages: Say it with a Poem‘, so we’ve asked a generous handful of our Poetry School tutors for a poem with a message to share with the world. We’re posting one poem every day until the big day itself!

Today is day three, and the featured poem is ‘Blue‘ by Poetry School Creative Director and Live Literature Producer Julia Bird.

This poem was first published in Twenty-Four Seven Blossom (Salt Publishing).

Julia Bird grew up in Gloucestershire and now lives and works in London. She’s the Creative Director of the Poetry School and produces touring live literature show through her company Jaybird Live Literature. Her collections Hannah and the Monk (2008) and Twenty-four Seven Blossom (2013) are published by Salt.

National Poetry Day, the annual mass celebration of poetry and all things poetical, takes place on Thursday 6 October 2016. It is an initiative of the Forward Arts Foundation, a charity that celebrates excellence in poetry and widens its audience. They bring together leading poetry, literacy and literary organisations around a shared purpose: promoting the enjoyment, discovery and sharing of poetry.

The Poetry School is a national arts organisation providing inspiring tuition and opportunities for poets and poetry audiences. With established teaching centres throughout England as well as online courses, downloadable activities, and the world’s biggest social network dedicated to poetry – CAMPUS – the Poetry School is unique in its ability to reach and develop aspiring poets wherever they may be, both in the UK and internationally.