National Take a Poet to Lunch Day

Today is “National Take a Poet to Lunch Day.” If you should know a poet this is the day to do so. Maybe they could even write a poem about the day once it is over.

American poet and professor Arnold Adoff established this day in 1995 with the intention of uniting poets and poetry enthusiasts over a satisfying dinner. It’s an opportunity to express gratitude for poetry as an art form and the gifted poets who produce it.

If you’re interested in celebrating it, here are some suggestions on how you can observe the holiday:

Invite a Poet:

Identify local poets or poets you admire and invite them to lunch. Reach out to them through social media, email, or local poetry organizations.

Organize a Poetry Reading:

Arrange a poetry reading event at a local cafe, library, or community center. Invite poets to share their work with an audience.

Poetry Potluck Lunch:

Organize a potluck lunch where everyone brings a dish and a poem to share. This can create a warm and communal atmosphere for celebrating poetry.

Write Poems Together:

Spend the lunchtime engaged in a collaborative poetry writing session. Encourage participants to write poems together or share their own creations.

Poetry Open Mic at Lunch:

Host a lunchtime open mic event where poets can share their work in a relaxed setting. This could be in a park, at a workplace, or in a local gathering spot.

Support Local Poetry:

If there are local poetry-related events or venues, show your support by attending readings, book launches, or workshops around the time of the celebration.

Create Poetry Cards:

Design and distribute small poetry cards with inspiring or thought-provoking poems. Hand them out to friends, colleagues, or even strangers during your lunch break.
Host a Poetry Workshop: