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National Bad Poetry Day
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MonAug 18

Bad Poetry Day – August 18, 2025

Bad Poetry Day is celebrated on August 18 every year; there’s no better day than this to try your hand at poetry. Poetry is a powerful form of human expression, but not everyone’s a wordsmith. Poetry, like other great weapons, may be used for good or evil, depending on who wields it. There is a lot of pressure to compose good poetry, from sonnets to haikus, free verse, and limericks.

Finally, you have the perfect excuse if you don’t get it right!

What more could you possibly need? Bad Poetry Day is the perfect opportunity for newbies to test the waters, and even established poets can get a kick out of using their smarts to create awful verse.

History of Bad Poetry Day

The year of creation and general origins of Bad Poetry Day is a matter of continuous debate. Some claim Thomas Roy and Ruth Roy (Wellcat Holidays) are responsible for this fun holiday. Regardless of its origins, one thing’s for sure; we can’t get enough of it.

The main goal of this holiday is to create and share awful poetry in whatever form. Many people take to Twitter to share cringe-worthy lines of poetry that you can’t help but admire. Whether it’s writing nonsensical lines or telling dad jokes, the blank page is your oyster.

For hundreds of years, poetry has been a dynamic aspect of human life. The Sumerian “Epic of Gilgamesh” contains the first documented poetry. These poems were sung and repeated as mnemonic devices to help people recall laws, oral histories, and ancestry. Some of the early poems were hymns, therefore poetry has connections to music. Enheduanna, a Sumerian priestess, and other songs in the form of chants are among them.

The emergence of modern poetry would be delayed until the early 1900s and extending into the 2000s. Robert Frost, Maya Angelou, Allen Ginsberg, and T.S. Eliot are among the best-known American poets.

Unlike these accomplished poets, we are held to far lower standards on Bad Poetry Day. This holiday is a rare opportunity to be the best — by being the worst. Who knew being clueless at something could pay off? Good poetry may be a question of subjective opinion, which means that awful poetry can be as well. So, delve deep, summon your inner devils, and write the world’s finest terrible verses!

Bad Poetry Day timeline

2100 B.C.
The “Epic of Gilgamesh” is Written

The book comprises a collection of stories and poems dating back to the Babylonians.

1660
The English Restoration Period Begins

This period marks the emergence of literary heavyweights such as John Dryden.

1850
Modern Poetry is Born

It introduces what has come to be known as the contemporary form of poetry.

1915
“The Road Not Taken” is Published

Robert Frost publishes “The Road Not Taken,” one of the most celebrated works of poetry.

Bad Poetry Day FAQs

Who is the most famous poet of all time?

Public opinion is divided on the issue, but some of the greatest poets include:

  • Edgar Allan Poe
  • William Shakespeare
  • Maya Angelou
  • Emily Dickinson
  • Robert Frost

Who is the first female poet?

Anne Bradstreet was the first American female poet to get published. She also holds the record for the first book of poems published by an Englishwoman.

Which type of poem is the easiest to write?

Acrostic poetry is regarded as one of the most basic types of poetry. They are often simple to make and stress the fact that poetry is a non-traditional literary genre that does not have to make sense.

How to Celebrate Bad Poetry Day

  1. Host a reading party for bad poetry

    An excellent way to enjoy National Bad Poetry day would be getting family and friends together for a bad poetry reading. Take turns horrifying each other with terrible poetry. You could even turn it into a competition.

  2. Write and share bad poetry

    Anyone can give poetry a try on National Bad Poetry Day — that’s the entire point! Write the worst possible versus your mind can produce and share them on social media.

  3. Attend a reading party

    Join a poetry club in your community or attend their open mic night. You will get to listen to poets recite their works.

5 Facts About Poetry That Will Blow Your Mind

  1. It is ancient

    Poetry is said to predate written text.

  2. Epic epics

    The “Mahabharata,” the world's longest poem, is an Indian epic that contains up to 1.8 million words.

  3. Don’t judge it by its cover

    In 1852, grafts of skin from murderer George Cudmore were used to bind a volume of John Milton's poetical works.

  4. The letter ‘r’ becomes a public enemy

    Gottlob Burmann was a German poet who despised the letter so much that he refused to use it in poems and avoided using it in his speech for 17 years.

  5. Short and sweet

    A two-word poem written by George McDonald reads, “Come home.”

Why We Love Bad Poetry Day

  1. It aids human expression

    Poetry is a powerful tool for expressing emotions. Whether it’s professing love for nature or for another human being, poetry is always ready to help.

  2. It can improve your vocabulary

    Poetry has several mental gains, one of which is improving your vocabulary. the more you read, the more you’re sure to find new and complex words.

  3. It boosts creativity

    Poetry may be used in a variety of ways as a form of expression. This dynamic may increase creativity as you acquire new approaches and viewpoints to problems.

Bad Poetry Day dates

Year Date Day
2025 August 18 Monday
2026 August 18 Tuesday
2027 August 18 Wednesday
2028 August 18 Friday
2029 August 18 Saturday
August
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
 
 

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