'I say, I say, I say, today is National Poetry Day. So burst into verse and give it your worst, and your day won't be cloudy or gray.”

With apologies to ARTbop's Dhaivat Mehta and Sam Woodward who are organising Tauranga observances of National Poetry Day today.

ARTbop poetry Editor, Sam Woodward, is the local organiser and contributor for the National Poetry Day. Here he reads one of his own works in the Tauranga Arcade, outside Creative Tauranga Arts. Photo: Chris Callinan.

To mark the occasion they're holding something called 'spoken Word Poetry” in Creative Tauranga's Arcade Arts project from 11am to 1pm.

And it's guaranteed the poetry will be more tasteful, more refined, more eloquent and lyrical than that tacky SunLive limerick at the top of the story.

'It's a great day for the poetry writers of Tauranga to present to the public their poems in spoken and written form,” says Sam Woodward, himself a poet.

This from his steamy poem called Passion.

'Do you doubt me,

'Test my love with your heart,

'I'll arouse your exotic fantasies,

'Fill your erotic demands,

'Know you'll never need forgives.”

A special feature of the readings will be the participation of actors promoting Night Owl Cinemas' Silent Cinema showing of the Charlie Chaplins City Lights at Baycourt.

They'll be silently miming its filming.

There is a further session of readings on the Wharf Street stage between 5.50pm and 7pm. This presentation will include music, performance poetry and hip hop,

You're welcome to come along if you'd like to present your original poetry at either session. Contact Sam on 027 475 7051 for more information.

Katikati marks National Poetry Day with readings at the Longtable Cafe, 603 State Highway 2 starting at 11.30am. More information from 027 274 8753.