I’m counting down to National Poetry Day (Thursday 2nd October) and I thought a great way to do this would be by listing my top five poems for children.

Of course, they aren’t REALLY my top five. They are just the five that I feel are my favourite today. As my mood changes, so do my favourites. What can I say? I’m fickle, and poetry is forgiving.

At number 5 is The Sea’s Hands by George Szirtes.

This took me by surprise last year when it was published in his excellent book, In the Land of the Giants. Just look at that first line!

The sea lays big glass hands on the sand,

It reaches out and pulls you in. It’s imagery is crystal clear and leads us through thoughtful phrasing and ideas. There’s just so much to love and engage with here.

Poem by George Szirtes – All copyright is his. You can buy In the Land of the Giants here.