In my Poet’s Dictionary (by William Packard), poetry is defined simply as, “The rhythmic creation of beauty in words.” Naturally, there is more to say, so the entry goes on for a full two pages, and includes some definitions that poets, like Wordsworth and Dickinson among others, have offered throughout history.
I find poetry easier to experience than to define.
This past week, I had the opportunity to travel to the mountains. Whenever I can do so, I like to take detours … the more lonesome the detour, the better. One of my favorites on this particular trip takes me off an annoyingly busy mountain highway and onto a two-lane, sometimes one-lane, sometimes partially unpaved road. It is full of hairpin curves and mostly empty of other travelers. I like the curves not only because they force me to slow way down, but also because it seems to me that everywhere I go lately, curves in the road are being made straight (pick your own metaphorical application).
Talking to Myself ... eavesdroppers welcome 