Poetry Is…..1

            What motivates a poet to write? A poet lets words from his own imagination, intellect, and experience flow through his pen. A poet has a love of language and plays with words to create fresh, pleasant-sounding poetry. Ben Jonson said, “A good Poet’s made as well as born”, which is true. Poems are usually structured in lines rather than in paragraphs. They consist of image, sound, and rhythm. Poems uncover truths and are spontaneous outpourings of powerful feelings. It is important for the reader to relate to the poet’s words. Read the poem once silently, then once out loud, in order to get a better understanding of the poet’s intentions. What is the first impression? A poem usually has plural meanings. Arming yourself with a dictionary is good advice. What tone or mood does the poem have?