J22: Poetry Introduction

Response to Definitions:
The definition that stands out to me most is Plato's "Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history." I'm not sure what exactly draws me to it. Perhaps it's the minimalizing of history in comparison (we must recall that I was once a history major). I think the key word is "vital." History is not exactly vital to life, but poetry can touch on things that are more applicable on a universal level. Hmm...more contemplation is necessary, but I need to move on to...

My Own Definition:
This is hard. Darn me for asking you to do it. I would say that my own definition is more like Hughes and Dove's definitions that consider it as being language that is distilled to its most powerful form. I generally write and read prose, but the impact of a well crafted poem moves me more.

Experiences and Perceptions:
In my early days of school I remember doing simple poetry stuff - concrete poems of a variety of forms, ya know, easy stuff. In high school I wrote poetry Moree loved (or at least said she did). I don't think they're that good in hindsight, but I don't have any of them anymore, so who knows? Ah...gotta scoot.