Poet Caroline Druitt performs her poem Unlisted/Not Listed as part of Apples and Snake’s Blackbox recordings.

Take a watch as Saf performs Prophet as part of Apples and Snakes’ Blackbox performances.

Watch as poet Sophie Lau performs their poem Skeletons and Feathers as part of Apples and Snakes Blackbox.

World Book Day is the annual celebration of books, it’s the perfect day to promote the wonderful world of reading, reciting, writing of poetry.

People from across the globe come together to revel in the joy of books and to celebrate how sharing words can bring people together in difficult times. Everyone, everywhere is invited to join in!

Apples and Snakes are marking World Book Day 2025 by sharing some of our favourite pieces from the recent SPIN anthology. To get your copy and to join this global band of wordsmiths just click the button below.

Happy Book Poetry Day 2025!

Eileen Gbagbo:

Summers at Grandma’s House

Jay Sandhu:

Mario Kart Pantoum

Ioney Smallhorne:

My Friend Finola

Gayathiri Kamalakanthan:

Ammā Means More Than Mother

Shagufta K Iqbal

There are Cats in the Mosque

Established in 1999, World Poetry Day has brought the brilliance, fun and enjoyment of poetry to millions of people across the world. Find out more about World Poetry Day here:

In 1999, Eddie Steele Rosen – son, brother, friend and very much his own true self – died. He caught meningitis. He was 18 years old. It was a shock to all who knew and loved him and now, nearly 25 years later, he’s very much remembered and loved. We think of him every day, we remember his jokes, we remember his hopes. Sometimes it’s hard to cope with him not being there. We imagine him seeing all the things we’ve been doing.

This is a film by one of us: Eddie’s dad, Michael.

This film has been supported by Apples and Snakes as part of our 40th anniversary. Apples and Snakes has been lucky to work with Michael Rosen since the 1980’s and are delighted to support the making of this film, an emotional exploration of Michael’s experience of the death of his much-loved son Eddie, and example of the poets’ unique ability to capture and comment on the world around us.

Written and Performed by Michael Rosen
Cinematography and Editing: Matthew Dove
Producer: Lisa Mead (Apples and Snakes)
Camera Assistant: Emile Rosen

Shaun Hill is a 26-year-old poet mapping post-capitalist ways of being. He lives in leafy Birmingham and was the recipient of an Apples & Snakes | Jerwood Arts: Poetry in Performance Award for 2020.