20 March 2024

The NS Poem: Birthday

A new poem by Simon Armitage.

Photo by Adrian Talbot/Millennium Images

Nature told me
to close my eyes
for the big surprise.

I had visions of wild woods
in shindig mood,
blossom as fireworks

and fancy dress,
insects off their noddles
on high-grade pollen,

Planet Earth in party mode,
petals fizzing and frothing
like pink champagne.

Then Nature walked me
into the car park,
lifted the blindfold

and showed me a cherry tree
fit for the age.
Embarrassment. Rage.

Simon Armitage is the poet laureate of the United Kingdom. His latest collection, “Blossomise”, is published by Faber & Faber in collaboration with the National Trust.

[See also: The NS Poem: The Late Stelliferous Era]