What is poetry?

Question

of course i know what poetry is- but besides the conventional definition- how would you define poetry?

serious answers- i have to write this essay and send it in before midnight tonight, but i don't have a thesis for what poetry is

Answer 1

Poetry is a way of expressing feelings and thoughts in a form of writing...Expressing ones self without fear of judgment by others...and a form of written art...that's all I can give you hope it helps...

Answer 2

There's a quote by Alfred Tennyson about something like 'poetry is passion, recalled at leisure.' (paraphrase)

My opinion would be something similiar.  

"Poetry Is"

Picture made of words,

painted in the mind,

seen in the heart,

displayed in the soul.

I hope it helps you to find your own, individual answer.