When people think about poetry, it is generally rhyme that comes to mind. However, my interpretation of poetry is that it tells a story. Just as a novel tells a story, a short story does also. And then a poem. The story just becomes more condensed from novel to short story to poem. Of course you can also have epic poems, such as The Iliad.
Here is one of the poems I like best:
Father
Letting you go is hard to do.
I’ve known you so long. Can I give you up?
I don’t know. You mean so much to me.
Inside, I feel pain, sharp pain;
Hurt cries out, but only on the inside.
I want you here to stay with me.
Why does it have to hurt?
It’s been said, “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”
But no, no I say. Parting is just plain sorrow.
Many diff’rent songs come to mind as I see you ready to leave.
I must live my life, you must live your life.
Why though? I’ve had you all my life.
How can I live without you here?
You must go; I know that.
It still hurts much. I can’t deny.
If I did it would be a lie.
That would not stop the pain I feel.
I do not want you gone, but I know my wants aren’t your needs.
I must agree with Boys II Men when they say,
“It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.”
It is.
Maybe one of the reasons this poem is among my favorites is that I know why it was written. I know all the feelings and emotions behind it, as I wrote it.