What is Poetry?

Reflect upon your past experience with poetry, as well as your idea of what poetry is. How useful, in your opinion, is the study of poetry? How open minded are you about our study of poetry?

I haven't even really had a past with poetry. It's almost as if teachers have a fear of teaching it to us, or if they do decided to present it, they do it on a very micro scale. I personally think that the most poetry I have ever learned was in elementary school, I know that sounds horrible but honestly. In grade 9 I learned a little bit then grade 10 a little more but in grade 11 I really didn't learn anything. I am really hoping that this course will provide me with the opportunity to further my knowlege.

To me poetry is an outlet. There is no deffinative deffinition of "what" poetry is. This is because poetry isn't really anything persay but at the same time it is everything. From an author standpoint I feel that poetry is a great outlet of emotion. There are endless possabilities when writing a poem and it can never be "right" or "wrong". Poetry is almost like an opinion / reflective piece but from your heart. Taking the time to write a poem gives an individual the opportunity to explode themselve. To put everything they feel on paper for others to enjoy. To me poetry is one of the greatest outlets.

One thing I find particularly difficult when it comes to poetry is sharing. Of course I write it at home late at night or whenever something of importance happens in my life, but personally sharing it with others especially on the internet where its open to anyone is hard. I don't like drawing attention to myself, and when people read about my feelings which are something I often with hold it makes me feel very akward. When others can relate to what I'm writing about I sometimes share but other than that I find it personal and would rather keep it tucked away.

To me poetry should be a greater portion of the english curiculum. I feel that if teachers made it sound good that so many students would have a new way to express themselves.