We have poetry on our minds all through the month of March as part of our year long celebration of all things books and reading for The National Year of Reading 2026.

Poetry is a fantastic medium to read, write and perform and with World Poetry Day falling on the 21st of March we want to share lots of wonderful poets, their published words and their generously shared thoughts and insight into the value of poetry, how it can work in classrooms and why they love it so much.

Do you have a particular place or time you enjoy composing poetry?

I often write them out on my phone, when I’m on the bus or the train. That’s why all my lines are (mostly) so short, so they fit on a phone screen.

Can you remember poetry at school? Did it help or hinder your love of poetry?

I do remember! And I remember really, really liking it. I had a few teachers who were great because they gave me three things.

First: they let me read a couple of poems that I would never have found on my own. I remember loving The Listeners by Walter de la Mare. Goosebumpy! Second: they gave me time in class to write my own poems. I was so happy doing that. Third: a few of them used to print out little booklets and zines of poetry that students had made, and send it round the school. Having someone else put your poem into a book is the absolute best feeling – I really think that was the proudest I felt at school. Thank you, Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Richardson and Mrs. Harvey!

What’s a poem you love that you think really showcases how much emotion (of any kind) poetry can demonstrate – it can be one of your own!!!

Oh man – only one?!? One that comes into my head is The Fear Song by Harry and Chris. It’s a song – but a poem – but a song. But I think it’s a poem. It’s brilliant!

What’s the biggest misconception about poetry?

I think a lot of people think that poetry needs to be about big, serious feelings. I don’t feel big, serious feelings that much. Most of the time I feel silly, stupid, funny feelings. Which is why I write silly, stupid, funny poems.

Why do you love it?

As a writer, I love being able to start and finish something quickly! Something longer, like a novel, just takes so… long to make. And you feel bad for doing anything else in the meantime. Even now, I’m thinking: better get back to that novel! Poems aren’t like that. They seize hold of you, but then they let you go.  As a reader, I love coming across something – a phrase, an idea, a way of seeing the world – that I’ve never experienced before. Poetry has given me that goosebump feeling of ‘wow – this is new!’ so many times.

Poetry is much more enjoyable and satisfying than many children think, what would you say to kids not sure if poetry is for them?

I don’t think I would tell them anything, really. I would start playing with them – making up a silly song that rhymes, having a tongue twister battle, trying to memorise a tricky rap song. Poetry is an absolute ninja art form – without you even noticing, it’ll sneak in to almost anything you do with words.

And what would you suggest to teachers who are hesitant to teach it, how might they introduce or attempt a series of fun poetry lessons?

Make a little poetry post box where students can put their poems, and on a Friday the teacher can pull one out and read it to the class.

What is the potential of poetry?

I don’t know! There’s got to be a limit to it, but no one’s found it yet.

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Many thanks to Sam for sharing his poetry thoughts.  You can find out more about his new poetry collection Press Start to Play below and get details on having Sam visit your school by visiting his site here.