National Take a Poet to Lunch Day

National Take a Poet to Lunch Day is the perfect time to show appreciation for those who create poetry. If you know a poet, today is the day to pay attention to them and invite them to meet up. Poetry is a powerful force that can touch our hearts, make us laugh or cry, and inspire empathy. Life would be much duller without it.

History

It’s unclear who created National Take a Poet to Lunch Day, but one thing is certain—they were passionate about poetry. Did you know poetry appeared thousands of years before prose? Surprisingly, prose originated in the 6th century BC and was at first considered experimental. Back then, no one was interested in prose; poetry was the dominant genre. Early poetry didn’t rhyme—rhyme was invented only in the Middle Ages.

In ancient times, everything was shared in poetic form: fairy tales, stories, information about battles, even laws. Many ancient poets remain anonymous, but their works were memorized and passed down through generations. Today, things are different—just a few clicks separate us from the works of great poets. The Internet makes it easy to find anything you want to read.

Interesting Facts

It is noteworthy that:

• Some researchers believe the first poem was written in the 23rd century BC by an Akkadian princess;
• The Chinese emperor Qianlong executed poets who wrote sad works;
• English Romantic poet Lord Byron loved animals, but at Cambridge, students weren’t allowed to keep dogs or cats—so he kept a bear cub, as bears weren’t mentioned in the rules;
• Cuban poet Julián del Casal died of laughter at an anecdote told by a friend; his uncontrollable laughter led to an aortic rupture.

How to Take Part

Invite a poet out for National Take a Poet to Lunch Day and treat them to a delicious meal. Meet at a cafe or cook something special at home. Spend some time with your favorite poems—read them again, or discover new contemporary poets and explore their work.

When is National Take a Poet to Lunch Day in 2026?

National Take a Poet to Lunch Day is observed on January 6 each year.

Observations