Poetry is often looked at as a sort of pretentious form of writing. The structure is different from a novel and the diction itself is a bit strange as well. Where you might expect one word, a totally obscure synonym occurs in its place. Where you might expect a full sentence, the stanza is broken up into paragraphs. Poetry takes everything that is familiar about reading and twists it in a sort of beautiful way.

Poetry is not only for English majors and romantics. Children’s books, for instance, are often poetic. Take Dr. Seuss as an example. His books follow a set rhyme scheme and metric pattern, traits that are associated with poetry. Those traits make it fun for the kids to read and even for adults to read along with them. Also, Dr. Seuss and other children’s poets have a habit of crafting their own words to fit the rhyme scheme. Not only is that interesting for all readers, but it can teach children creativity. Poetry is good for the mind.

So, poetry is good for the growing minds of children and, in the same sense, for adults. Some say that once you hit a certain age, your personality is basically locked in. You won’t change. If you were scientifically inclined before adulthood, then you’ll stay that way and the same goes for the artists. I disagree. No matter your age or stage in life you're in, good literature can and will change you. In my experience, I’ve found that it’s often poetry with vivid imagery and description that has the most luck in altering the psyche of its readers.

So, why don’t I write poetry?

I write tons in various genres of literature, including nonfiction, fantasy, and realistic fiction. Writing is a great exercise in keeping your mind young and fresh. You get to explore a variety of different places and people without ever leaving the comfort of your own mind and that’s exciting. Poetry is different, though. I can appreciate the work that goes into crafting the perfect poem, but it takes a special kind of person to pull it off. To be a poet, you must think outside of a very large box. There are so many options in that box, but you must reach further.

Reaching further is hard. Not only that, but the poet’s personality comes through in their work. If you’re a poet who’s trying to force the words to come to the page, then the poem will reflect that. Nobody wants to read a poem that feels forced. It should feel natural and flow like a soothing river. So, if you’re a person who can make that happen and who enjoys the act of writing poetry, by all means do so. However, that’s not my forte and it’s likely fairer to the genre that I simply just stay away from it.