EXTRA-marital affairs, fist fights, gambling and madness. No, not the latest episode of EastEnders, but the lives of some of the country's famous poets over the past few centuries.

Yet mention poetry to most people - children, teenagers or adults - and you are likely to get a blank stare or a bored yawn.

Today is National Poetry Day, and there are plenty of events across Bolton to please the poetry enthusiast.

But why should we care about poetry at all?

Julian Jordon is one of the key organisers of Write Out Loud, the group that encourages "secret" poets to "come out" about their writing and perform it in public.

He says: "As far as we're concerned, poetry is a form of self expression that anyone can access, with or without formal training or education in poetry.

"It's a way that people can have a conversation with themselves and find out more about themselves, and it is a way of sharing their thoughts with the world.

"Many people think it is denied to them because they think that there is a thing called poetry which is defined and elevated and academic, and not something that is considered by the literary world to be for everybody. But, in fact, anyone can pick up a pen and write on a piece of paper and start to express themselves."

Julian also says that writing poetry is a good way for people to honestly work through what they think about an event or issue, as the act of reading or writing words on paper helps clarify the writer's feelings.

And Bolton-born published poet Clare Pollard agrees. She says: "I think poetry's important because it's about being attentive to language, and using it accurately to tell truths about the world. In our contemporary culture of advertising, tabloids, PR and spin, we need it to reclaim language from cliches and lies.

"In our busy lives, it's also about finding a moment of peace. To read a poem on the bus, or with a cup of tea, is to take time out to think - to stand back from the bustle and contemplate things."

Far from being a stuffy subject, poetry has often engaged with topics that would fascinate most of today's teenagers, and many poets lived lives that would rival those of any rapper or film star.

Blake's visionary poems may not initially seem to be a classroom favourite, but interest levels generally rise when students learn that the poet had regular hallucinations and was guided by the voices in his head. And Britain's most famous love rats have nothing on Lord Byron, who has now become synonymous with debauchery. Even the current mood of disillusionment with the war in Iraq can be found reflected in the poetry of the First World War.

Julian believes that poetry is the ideal way for people to share their thoughts on all these subjects - from love to war, and everything in between.

He said: "There are all sorts of quotes about what poetry is or is not, and some are very clever but they don't help people. Poetry for us is about people finding a way to share what they think with other people.

"It's a way of forming a community, if you like, in a world that increasingly is isolated in its own living room through the computer and the television.

The poetry we do is a way for people to actually have a conversation with each other."

Write Out Loud's live poetry nights have developed something of a reputation as vibrant, exciting, noisy events, that currently take place in the Howcroft pub, on Pool Street.

It is a far cry from the traditional idea of poetry readings happening in hushed, reverential settings. And when they set up their website, writeoutloud.net, Julian and his fellow organiser found that there was a whole network of such events taking place across Bolton and the rest of the country. Poetry, it seems, may well be more popular than ever.

And so National Poetry Day should be a day for us to treasure. Julian believes that most people need the occasional gentle reminder that there are things other than soap operas and digital TV.

"National Poetry Day reminds everybody that poetry exists and is accessible. Poetry is about everything and about everybody," he said.

National Poetry Day Events

Write Out Loud is working in collaboration with Bolton Central Library to bring poetry to the people today.

Short readings and performances will be given in the library foyer between 10am and 11am this morning. Poets will be roaming the library stacks between noon and 2pm.

Children's poems and stories will be read in the children's section between 3.45pm and 5pm.

Write Out Loud's own National Poetry Day gig will take place tonight at the Phoenix Youth Theatre, on Bark Street, from 7.30pm to 10pm.

The evening will feature Liverpool-based poet Cath Nichols, who has a growing national reputation.

She will be supported by local poet Abi Idowu, and there are also 12 open-mic slots available.

Tomorrow, Write Out Loud will be sending a team of local writers and performers to Turton High School to encourage young people to break down any preconceived notions about poetry.

Young bards are also encouraged to enter a poetry competition, run with the National Poetry Day theme of "identity."

The competition, organised by Bolton Council, runs until December 8 and is open to anyone between the ages of 13 and 19.

There will also be a series of workshops with established poets.

For further information ring Bolton Council on 01204 332323 or Bolton Literacy Trust on 01204 338336.