Many poets and teachers of poetry have proposed definitions, philosophical and logical, for the many-faceted poem. In the modern age, a poem can be as short as two lines, as prosaic as a paragraph, and as grammatical as, well, read a poem by E. E. Cummings for an example. Poetry does not even need a rhyme or meter. If so, how in the world can anyone cram the broad category of poetry into a single definition? They simply cannot.
Poetry, to an extent, is undefinable. As well it should be. Poetry appears in so many places and in so many ways that to stick a label on it would likely exclude at least one area in which poetry plays a useful part. For instance, when paired with music, poetry becomes “lyrics.” Most of the songs that teenagers listen to contain poetry (though not very good poetry). Moreover, when someone memorizes a song, they are in fact memorizing a poem. This beautiful union of poetry and music merits much more time than this article can give it. In summary, if the definition for poetry designated that poetry must always be a written form, it would exclude the poetical lyrics in every song. Since songs are often enjoyed more than poetry alone, this would be a grave mistake.
Furthermore, poetry often narrates children’s books, accompanied by lovingly rendered pictures. Poetry gives these books a sing-song tone, making them perfect for reading aloud and easy for parents to memorize so they can check their phones while putting their children to bed. If the definition for poetry excluded picture books, then the poets who write those books would either have to publish their poems on ordinary blank pages to retain their titles of “Poet,” or would have to call themselves merely “Authors.” This may not be the worst crime ever invented. Nevertheless, many so-called authors pride themselves on being poets, and would be quite dismayed to be excluded from that category. Many children, parents, and lovers of Shel Silverstein would also take revenge.
Therefore, the definition for poetry cannot exclude music and art, important partners of rhyme. Poetry must not refer only to words sitting obediently on a page. That sounds like a very lonely life. Poetry also cannot liberally cut out E. E. Cummings and those other rather…interesting…exceptions to the general rules of poetry. Another of the important uses of poems is for English teachers to torture their students. As everyone knows, English teachers revel in the surprised faces (or exclamations in the chat box) of their students when presented with a poem containing no periods to speak of. Exceptions are what most English teachers love most. If there existed a simple definition of poetry, such as “lines of words in which the last word rhymes,” then students would have a much easier time deciphering poetry. Where would be the fun in that?
In all seriousness, poetry means something different to each person who writes or reads it, whether to express feelings, discuss a controversy, narrate a story, empathize with others, describe an experience, or even to define a word. Poetry includes all these uses and more. It may be possible to write a definition for poetry that encompasses everything, but at best it would have to be quite vague. Nevertheless, many poets enjoy trying. Here are just a few of the fantastical definitions they have proposed:
“Poetry is the art of creating imaginary gardens with real toads.” -Marianne Moore
“Poetry is all that is worth remembering in life.” -William Hazlitt
“As a guiding principle I believe that every poem must be its own sole freshly created universe,” -Philip Larkin
“Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings,” -William Wordsworth
“I would define, in brief, the Poetry of words as the Rhythmical Creation of Beauty.” -Edgar Allan Poe
“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” -Robert Frost
“Poetry is the record of the best and happiest moments of the best and happiest minds.” -Percy Bysshe Shelley
Try writing your own creative definition of poetry, and take the time to appreciate all the unexpected places where you find poetry in your own life!
Disclaimer: Any offense to English teachers, real or imaginary, is unintentional. English teachers are important for everyone’s education, and I admire their enthusiasm for even the dullest parts of literature. Special thanks to Mrs. Yagel, who introduced me to some of these definitions for poetry!
Sources:
Eastman, Max. Enjoyment of Poetry: With, Anthology for Enjoyment of Poetry. Macmillan, 1987.
Nastasi, Alison. “20 Poets on the Meaning of Poetry.” Flavorwire, BDG, 8 Sept. 2013, www.flavorwire.com/413949/20-poets-on-the-meaning-of-poetry.
Photo credit: Emma Martin