What is it about poetry that separates it from other art-forms?

Question

A painting can really take us places, tug at the mood, make us think. A picture of course speaks a thousand words, and sight is the conveyor of most things.

A song can move us in ways we never thought expected. Open up canals in our mind we thought were closed for good, or that we were sure never existed.

A statue commands our attention, whether we wish to look or not, and when we do, it becomes a permanent fixture in our mind.

But a poem, we read it, and it either leaves its mark with us or not. If it does, it could be an epiphany, looking at something briefly through another pair of eyes, or even reliving a piece of someone else's life, however, it doesn't seem to last as long as a picture, or a tune, for some reason.

So what is it about poetry, which very few people that I know of even read anymore, and when they do, they don't have the same understanding of it as our fellow poets or poe tasters, and most who do have an understanding of it are usually lacking in any emotional depth. So why do we continue to pick up our pens, rather than a paint brush, or an instrument, or anything else that could fancy us just the same?

Answer 1

To create is to release,

release a small part,

a part of one's soul.

Words are art when constructed in ways to make one think and learn.  When placed in a musical format, e.g. meter, rhyme and all other poetic devices, the words sing to many although few take the time to understand. But the real beauty of a well constructed poem is that it has multiple meanings.  An apple to a child is an apple.  An apple to a worker is nourishment. But an apple to a poet....endless metaphoric possibilities!

Answer 2

Neonman took the words right out of my mouth and said it all so much better than I could have.

Answer 3

i do not know

Answer 4

Poetry is seen by the inner eye...Now I don't play an instrument but I can sing everything else you mentioned I do....I used to only write sad love poems/color until I became bored, then I started testing myself in other Art fields..Poetry is heart felt words as is Music..Statues and Paintings are seen by the outer eye and can be destroyed whereas Words from Poetry/Music can never be destroyed...Btw Sculptures,Statues,Paintings are all silent words from within......Life is veiwed by the eyes of others..Hence the saying:To Each His Own..What you just wrote is Poetry.. Good Poetry.......Blessings Yahoo

Answer 5

are you a woman? you will never understand!

Answer 6

Painting expresses moods, feelings, and acts of a given moment in a snap shot, as if time stood still; poetry is the slide show for different snapshots. Painting is usually private enterprise , poetry is public commodity.

Both, the poet & painter, having this artistic visualization of the moment; and having the lunatic courage to step on the stage of art, play his / her role intimately with a touch of arrogance..  

Answer 7

even though poetry is sometimes hard to decipher,  it is concise and to the point

Answer 8

poetry soothes the soul and calms the spirit