What is Poetry?

We have all at one time or another read, written, heard, or otherwise been subjected to poetry in one form or another. Poetry is all around us in many different forms. We use it to describe love & hate, joy & pain, an outlet for our deepest most sacred thoughts & desires. But why is this? Why are we drawn to this form of expression? What exactly is poetry and why does it reach us on a different level than other forms of expression? I implore each of you reading this to search your heart, mind and soul and comment here your thoughts. Answer each of the questions asked above with YOUR answers. Don't give definitions, don't assume what others my be thinking, answer what it is to YOU. After we get through this first part about what & why, the next section we will be posting some of our favorite poems and giving a description on what it means to us, why it reached out to us, and how we perceive the writing. I look forward to reading and discussing each of your answers and moving forward with this discussion.