What is Poetry?

Let’s start with what the Oxford English Dictionary has to say about poetry:

Literary work in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by the use of distinctive style and rhythm; poems collectively or as a genre of literature.

That sounds a bit intense and overwhelming. Let’s try to break that down a bit.

At it’s core, poetry is simply a collection of words. Those words don’t need to follow conventional grammar rules, don’t need to be a certain length, they don’t even have to necessary make sense.

A good poem should be thought provoking and leave the reader with a distinct image, emotion, thought, or just leave them wondering. A poem is what you make of it and an equally thrilling experience for both the author and the reader.

There is not such thing as a “bad” poem so don’t be afraid to try it out!