What is a poem?

I'm not all too sure of what a poem is...can someone offer a few pointers?

mister kitten, there are many types of poems:

free verse (doesn't have to rhyme)

Prose poem(which is a piece of writing that conjures up a fantastic image in the mind of the reader)

Look around you; what do you see that can be described so that we are able to see it with you.

It is very difficult to say what a poem is, given that we use poetry precisely to express what is difficult to say.

It is not difficult to say: A poem is God's way of making us value our lives by showing us how boring are the lives of others, how vapid, and insipid with all the trivial nonsense that catches their attention that they think to dust off, and shine up with a few well turned phrases....Anni Defranco, one of the best said: We barely have time to react in this life, let alone rehearse... And it is true... Even when life seems to drag as for a kid at work- stuck in a time warp an hour before quiting time -it is still charging by on wheels of steal...

People who buy poetry have too much money and time on their hands when obviously, most of us are caught in the works, feeding some one to the gears that we are ourselves trying to avoid... There is plenty enough of pain, tragedy and drama... But all that mew mew, pitiful sensitive me introspection is uncalled for, and that is why the junk does not sell, because no one has the time to read it but those with the time to write it..

Poetry has to touch the common chord... It has to mean something to people.... It has to be about something, and it should always cast mankind in the leading role, picking up the fallen reins of the last generation and driving the Chariot of Helios to hell and back... The lives of whinee tit poets belong crushed between the pages of books no one will ever read... When people stand up to fate, when they dare to love to destruction their lives, when they put everything on the line for a chance to buy a better soul for themselves, when they spit in the eyes of God and the devil and cast them both aside and take responsibility for their own actions and consequences, their story is poetry...

Hello Fido, and thank you for replying.

Fido wrote:

It is not difficult to say: A poem is God's way of making us value our lives by showing us how boring are the lives of others, how vapid, and insipid with all the trivial nonsense that catches their attention that they think to dust off, and shine up with a few well turned phrases....Anni Defranco, one of the best said: We barely have time to react in this life, let alone rehearse... And it is true... Even when life seems to drag as for a kid at work- stuck in a time warp an hour before quiting time -it is still charging by on wheels of steal...

Poetry is God's gift?
Poems show us how other people's lives are 'boring, vapid, and insipid'? I think that could be the serving purpose of one or more poems, but not all of them.

Fido wrote:

People who buy poetry have too much money and time on their hands when obviously, most of us are caught in the works, feeding some one to the gears that we are ourselves trying to avoid... There is plenty enough of pain, tragedy and drama... But all that mew mew, pitiful sensitive me introspection is uncalled for, and that is why the junk does not sell, because no one has the time to read it but those with the time to write it..

^cool, but where's the definition of a poem?

Fido wrote:

Poetry has to touch the common chord... It has to mean something to people.... It has to be about something, and it should always cast mankind in the leading role, picking up the fallen reins of the last generation and driving the Chariot of Helios to hell and back... The lives of whinee tit poets belong crushed between the pages of books no one will ever read... When people stand up to fate, when they dare to love to destruction their lives, when they put everything on the line for a chance to buy a better soul for themselves, when they spit in the eyes of God and the devil and cast them both aside and take responsibility for their own actions and consequences, their story is poetry...

life=poetry?
The tips for poetry are much appreciated, but no definition has been put forth...like frosting without a cake

Examples of poems do not define the essence of 'poem'

po·em
1. A verbal composition designed to convey experiences, ideas, or emotions in a vivid and imaginative way, characterized by the use of language chosen for its sound and suggestive power and by the use of literary techniques such as meter, metaphor, and rhyme.
2. A composition in verse rather than in prose.
3. A literary composition written with an intensity or beauty of language more characteristic of poetry than of prose.
4. A creation, object, or experience having beauty suggestive of poetry.

mister kitten wrote:

Examples of poems do not define the essence of 'poem'

Perhaps you should have been a little more clear in exactly what type of responses you were seeking.

You want a definition of a poem? Here you go, compliments of the Free Online Dictionary:

Quote:

po·em
1. A verbal composition designed to convey experiences, ideas, or emotions in a vivid and imaginative way, characterized by the use of language chosen for its sound and suggestive power and by the use of literary techniques such as meter, metaphor, and rhyme.
2. A composition in verse rather than in prose.
3. A literary composition written with an intensity or beauty of language more characteristic of poetry than of prose.
4. A creation, object, or experience having beauty suggestive of poetry.

If you were a philosopher you would know that you cannot define an infinite... I have offered an opinion as to essential elements and what poems is not... Other than that; you are on your own... Pick a style or make your own, copy or floppy... Your choice... I think if it is worth doing it may have already been done... So what can you add in the way of frosting...

A poem is...like an old guardian of forgotten dreams and shared absurdity´s were the wise soul rests unbounded to sleep away the madness of conscience.
...is La Mancha to nowhere with GPS and full gear !
...a zig-zag around the corner of boring !
A poem is also... the ever present Christmas tree shadow of that dark zombing energy, carving smoothly, the void in the spoon of those who are not hungry ! Evasion is the moto !!! Speeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed Boooolt !!!