What Is Poetry?

The definition of poetry will vary depending upon whom you may ask. Some will tell you, “It’s made up of short, rhyming phrases,” “It’s what you’ll find in a Hallmark card or a nursery rhyme.” or “They’re like sonnets and Shakespeare.” Some may even tell you it’s “boring old stuff” they were forced to endure in English class.

None of these answers would be wrong, but I’d like to take a few minutes to define what poetry means to me as a writer and as a poet.

If you ask me, “What is poetry?” I will tell you, ‘Poetry is everything. There is poetry in everything. Our lives are comprised of countless poetic moments, even if we aren’t always aware of it!’

Not everyone would describe themselves as being a lover of poetry. Yet nearly everyone will tell you that they love music. What are lyrics? Are lyrics, not poetry that has been set to music and vividly brought to life? Are lyricists not also poets? I believe that they are.

I want you to stop momentarily and think about the lyrics to one of your favorite songs. The one that brings you the most joy, the one that resonates with your heart, the one that takes you back in time to a special place, or relationship, or the one you listen to when you are feeling heartbroken or celebratory.

Now, whichever song you’re thinking of right now, no matter the genre or mood of it: Why do you love it so? Is it simply the melody? Or is it because you feel the lyrics in your soul and they move you in some way? Either you feel as though these words were written for you, about an experience you’ve had, or they remind you of a happy occasion, a past love, etc., right?

Guess what? That’s poetry. That feeling, that connection, that moment of “Ohh!… I really feel these words!”

That’s poetry.

Like some of you, I have devoured books since early childhood. Even the old, long-forgotten volumes that could be found in the alcoves of the local library. Rather than stay in the children’s section downstairs, I’d peruse the upstairs mezzanine’s alcoves while my Memere searched for whichever books she was after that particular day.

I adore books and all of their possibilities. At the beginning of a new book, I am transported into another time, place, or a whole new world. There is magic in every story and in the discovery of each new book.

Poetry is no different in that the poet has the ability to transport us anywhere, whether into their past, a fantasized about future, or a captured moment in time which they wanted to preserve. I once read a quote that read “Write what should not be forgotten.” and I have tried in earnest to do so ever since. For me, that usually results in poetry being created.

Poetry is no less magical than an epic novel of six hundred pages because a single poem has the ability to act as a passport into the author’s heart and mind. A poem takes us on a complete journey within just a few moments. We are there and back again in minutes.

That is the lure and the beauty of poetry. It has the capability to act as a magical passport just as the reading of an entire book does. That’s pretty magical to me.

While the act of writing poetry is in and of itself a therapeutic exercise, at times, my goal when sharing a piece that I’ve written is the hope that somewhere out there is a reader who will resonate with it. They’ll understand and connect. They’ll know that they aren’t alone, or we’ll share a smile in reminiscence of past memories and old loves. I hope to convey my feelings and the visions within my mind’s eye to the reader. If I have managed to do that then I’m content.

Sometimes I may just need to purge some really strong emotions and putting pen to paper, or keys to screen/keyboard enables me to do so. Even in that though, or I guess, especially in doing that, I am putting a piece of my soul out there for public consumption (which is admittedly a bit scary and intimidating!), but it is done with the hope that at some point someone out there who is going through or has been through something similar will stumble upon my words and go “Ohh… Damn. I feel this. I can relate. I’m not alone.”

The form of the poem doesn’t matter to me. What matters is the heart of content, the mood. I want to feel what the poem’s author was thinking and feeling when they penned those words. I want to clearly envision the place and time being described because their words have teleported me there. This is also what I hope to convey in my own words.

Do you remember the movie Simply Irresistible (yes, the one starring Sarah Michelle Gellar)? Admittedly, not one of the greatest movies ever made, however, I’m citing it for two reasons so stay with me, please. For those of you who haven’t seen it, or don’t remember, here’s the gist of the story:

After the death of Amanda’s (Amanda is portrayed by SMG) mother, Amanda is having trouble attracting customers to the restaurant that her mother has left her. While at the farmer’s market shopping for ingredients, Amanda purchases a basket of crabs. One of which is magical (I know, I know! Stay with me here!) and for some inexplicable reason this crab bestows a gift upon Amanda. She is able to put whatever emotion she is feeling, while preparing the meals, into the food.

As in, when customers eat it, they are now experiencing the very same emotions (laughter, tears, anger, you name it!). Weird, yes, I know.

Still with me here? Okay, so to my point: My favorite authors and poets do the very same thing. They have this unique, beautiful gift of emotion being delivered through their words rather than culinary dishes. That is, was, and will always be what makes a writer memorable to me.

If they were able to transport me, capture my heart, fill my throat with emotion, and blur my vision with tears because they so thoroughly touched my heart? If they had me laughing until I cried with a particularly creative limerick, if they left me smiling and thinking of their words for days after because it just lifted my heart, and I felt the warmth of the sun along with it? Then, I guarantee you that I’ll continue to follow their future work and look for past works as well.

These are all the things that poetry is to me. Beauty. Emotion. Magic. Rawness. Soul. Poetry is a way to encapsulate all of life’s experiences as well as those of our most fantastical imaginings. At least, that is what poetry is to me.

What does poetry mean to you? How do you define it? Leave a comment below, or feel free to write a post in response. I’m looking forward to hearing from all of you!

Before, you go! My second reason for citing Simply Irresistible is due to the beautiful song “Once In A Blue Moon” by Sydney Forest. The lyrics in this are exactly what I’m referring to throughout this piece. So, I’ll leave you with her lovely words and the aforementioned question:

What is poetry?

. . .

If you've enjoyed reading this, please consider giving it a "like" by clicking on the ❤️! If you'd like to read more of my writing, be sure to subscribe! Tips and pledges are voluntary, and so greatly appreciated!

This poem was originally published on Medium.