National Poetry Writing Month (or NaPoWriMo for short) is the poets’ version of the original NaNoWriMo (for novels), and whilst it should be easier - novelists aim for a first draft of around 50,000 words – it’s still definitely going to be a challenge for me to write a poem every day for 30 days. I think you can expect a lot of haiku, limericks and other short-form poetry in the coming weeks! Still, as we kick off on a Saturday I had no excuse, so here’s my first effort:

Alternatives to a bookmark*

• Postcard from ‘The Sunshine State’

• Valentine: To Bob, love Kate

• Recipe for ‘Pepper Hash’

• Real money

• Board game cash

• Scratched CD by Sonic Youth

• Folded pamphlet: Hear God’s Truth!

• Bacon

• Lettuce

• Wrapped cheese slice

• Music score for Edelweiss

• Teabag

• Snake skin

• Four-leafed clover

• Programme: Hull v Bristol Rovers

• Winning scratchcard

• Dirty sock

• One way ticket to Bangkok

• Gift tag: From your loving son

• Poem (why not use this one?)

*Genuine items reported by librarians and second-hand book sellers. Slight poetic licence used for rhyme.

April itself is National Poetry Month in America, but whilst the NaPoWriMo writing challenge is now pretty international, unfortunately the UK hasn’t adopted the idea of a whole month of poetry with the same enthusiasm we did peanut butter and the Kardashians. I’m working on it though.