National Bad Poetry Day

If you don’t consider yourself a poet but still love to compose quirky rhymes, National Bad Poetry Day is the perfect chance to unleash your creativity! Not everyone is born with poetic talent, but that doesn’t mean you should hold back. Share your verses—even if they’re hilariously terrible. That’s the whole point of this celebration!

History

Many attribute the creation of this holiday to Thomas and Ruth Roy, though some dispute this. Regardless of its origin, National Bad Poetry Day has found a place in the hearts of those who enjoy poking fun at imperfect poetry.

Poetry has always had the power to evoke deep emotion—whether it brings tears, laughter, or nostalgia. Throughout history, poets have left lasting marks with their words. On this day, however, the goal is to do quite the opposite: write something so bad, it’s brilliant! Share your work and enjoy the absurdity of it all.

Interesting Facts

1. The modern form of poetry began to take shape around 1850.
2. Anne Bradstreet is recognized as the first published American poet.
3. There are words in English—like “orange” and “silver”—that have no perfect rhymes.
4. The oldest surviving poems date back to the 23rd century BC.
5. One of the shortest known poems was written by George MacDonald and consists of just three words: “Come back home.”

How to Take Part

Celebrate National Bad Poetry Day by sharing your “worst” poems on social media platforms like X or Facebook. Don’t worry about rhyme or reason—just have fun with it!

Host a bad poetry slam with your friends and vote on the funniest verses.

If there’s a local open mic or themed event, consider attending and reading a few lines aloud—you may get more laughs than you expect!

When is National Bad Poetry Day in 2025?

National Bad Poetry Day is observed on August 18 each year.

Observations