Take Your Poet to Work Day
Take Your Poet to Work Day adds a bit of fun to an ordinary workday. People bring along paper versions of their favorite poets—some cut out little figures, others print poems to pin at their desks.
It’s simple and playful, but it tends to spark curiosity. Coworkers might ask who the poet is, or stop to read a few lines. Suddenly, a regular Wednesday feels a little different.
Poetry slips into small moments, whether it’s during a break, in a meeting, or beside your keyboard. The best part? It makes room for creativity in spaces that usually stay practical.
You don’t need to be a poetry expert. You just need a few words that speak to you—and a reason to smile when someone asks why there’s a tiny Emily Dickinson taped to your monitor.
How to Celebrate Take Your Poet to Work Day
Try one of these ideas to bring poetry into your workspace and make your day feel fresh.
Desk display
Tie a small printed portrait or poem to a paper clip. Clip it to your laptop or notebook. Coworkers will ask about it. A quiet verse can inspire smiles between tasks.
Mini reading break
Invite a few colleagues for a quick poem session over coffee. Each person picks a short favorite. Keep the mood light. Talk about lines that resonate.
Share a poem digitally
Add a poetic line in an email footer or chat greeting. Choose something bright or playful. It breaks tone and lifts routine communication.
Wall of lines
Pin or tape a whiteboard in a communal spot. Invite coworkers to post verse snippets during the day. Watch how creativity unfolds.
Virtual poet guest
Host a Zoom moment featuring a local poet or podcast clip. Ask them to read a quick poem or discuss their work. It energizes remote or hybrid teams.
Coloring cutouts
Print, color, and cut out a poet figure from free downloads. Stick it on a desk or mug handle. It adds warmth without needing any fuss.
Surprise lines
Hide poems in shared spaces like the breakroom, elevator, or printer. Short, upbeat lines work best. Smiles often follow.
History of Take Your Poet to Work Day
Take Your Poet to Work Day began in 2013, thanks to a creative group called Tweetspeak Poetry. They wanted a playful way to bring poetry into people’s daily routines.
Inspired by the idea of taking kids or pets to work, they came up with something a little different—why not take a poet instead?
That year, they designed printable poet cutouts and shared them online. People could color, cut, and bring along tiny versions of famous writers like Emily Dickinson or Langston Hughes.
The idea took off. Offices, coffee shops, schools, and libraries joined in. Photos of decorated desks, notebooks, and computer screens popped up all over the internet.
Since then, the day has grown beyond its small beginning. Every year, new printable poets appear before the celebration. Participants can pick their favorite, tape it to a mug, or tuck it into a pocket.
The event usually lands on the third Wednesday of July, giving folks a break from the ordinary. Tweetspeak’s team also adds coloring pages and fresh poems each time, keeping things lively.
What started as a niche idea now circles the globe, all because people liked the thought of adding a little verse to their workday.
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