Thursday is National Poetry Day, and there's lots of events to stir your inner lyricism and get you thinking about the theme of 'home'. Hang out all afternoon at the Southbank Centre to catch poets like Simon Armitage, Laura Dockrill, Daljit Nagra, Lemn Sissay, Luke Kennard and Ross Sutherland, have a one-to-one poetry reading or get a poetical prescription, all organised by the Poetry Society (from 2pm, all free).
In the Poetry Library, also at SBC, Ju Shardlow will be attempting to write and read 1,000 new comedic poems in 12 hours to raise money for Shelter. Sounds bonkers, but excellent.
You could have breakfast with Jo Shapcott (8am, free @ Bates Wells & Braithwaite LLP) or enjoy the other Poet in the City event today, a celebration of Persian poet Hafez (7pm, £6 / £4).
Iain Sinclair and artist Oona Grimes launch Postcards from the 7th Floor in Kennington at 7pm, RRRANTS presents nine poetry collectives in Camden (7.30pm, £4) and there are writing workshops and events carrying on into the weekend. Check out the National Poetry Day website for full listings.
