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QUESTION:
What IS poetry, anyway?

Here's a definition from Library.thingquest.org: "Traditional poetry is language arranged in lines, with a regular rhythm and often a definite rhyme scheme. Nontraditional poetry does away with regular rhythm and rhyme, although is usually is set up in lines. The richness of its suggestions, the sounds of its words, and the strong feelings evoked by its line are often said to be what distinguish poetry from other forms of literature. Poetry is difficult to define, but most people know when they read it."

Yes, it's a long and rambling explanation, but unfortunately there's no simple definition. You'll likely get many different answers to the question, "What is poetry?", depending on the person you ask.

Some people feel that anything that calls itself a poem is a poem. Others believe that there are differences between prose and poetry, and that there is such a thing as "good poetry" and "bad poetry."

The issue is further confused because of a type of poetry called prose poetry. Some feel that a prose poem isn't really poetry at all, but just regular prose that sounds poetic.

Here are some other definitions:

PoetryMagic.co.uk's definition.

About.com's definition.

English Works! Literature's definition.

Poetry.org's definition.