What is Poetry?

Poetry is a puzzling subject. It has no such definition which should be all enclusive. All big names in world of literature tried to define it like the great english romantic P.B Shelley says "poetry is expression of imagination". S T Colleridge says that "Poetry is the best words in best order" W WOrdsworth is of the view that "Poetry is spontenious overflow of powerfull feeling and emotions" Likewise Methow Arnold is of the view that "Poetry is criticism of life". All these definitons are enlightening, but not the perfect one.In fact poetry has some characteristics whose synthesis in a judicous way make poetry. These characteristics are following
(1) Imagination
(2) Emotions
(3) Music
Imagination mean to imagine, to make vision. It is a creative faculty. Through this Power a poet can make a common thing uncommon. He bring forth such strange aspects of common things which add mystery to it.Similiarly he can make unfamiliar things familiar by power of his imaginaton.He makes real, the most abstract and mysterious objects
Emotions poetry begins and ends with emotions. Poets are the sensitive strata of society. They look at things intensly and profoundly, and they express their experiences and emotions in such a stirring way that they inspire their readers in the same way.The reader feels the joy and sorrow of the poet.
Music the third characteristic of poetry is music. The poet when uses some words so he not only keep in mind the meaning of words, but also their sound. He chooses such words which make melodious effect on readers.So rise and fall is third essential of poetry. In short we can say prose talk while poetry sings.

Written by: Faqir Muhammad