Poetry???

I find this question extremely difficult to answer. Comparatively, it is when people ask what is art and what can be considered art. There are the three main theories one can consider when identifying what is poetry. The first is the "Art World Theory." Is it considered poetry if it gathers attention by the wider poetry community, consequently considering it poetry if it is accepted into the tradition and standards of the art world. The second is formalism, whether the poet facilities a wide range of diction, syntax, tone, and imagery successfully. The context of the written piece and what other people think of the pieces is not as important than the form of the poem, therefore it is the use of poetic devices that make a poem a poem. The third is expressionism, if the poem elicits an emotional response from the reader. In vast contrast to formalism, expressionists consider the use of poetic devices of disinterest, it is the position that poetry should express some kind of emotion. Although if I had to put a definition to poetry I would say it is a rhythmic composition crafted with poetic devices invoking pathos. Poetry tends focus on aesthetic qualities in structure to further express their message.
The purposes of poetry are multifaceted, it would depend on the intention of the author. There are a wide range of poetry such as confessional, persuasive, and narrative. Poetry is one way of self expression. As mentioned in class, it is a way of connecting concepts and ideas that haven't been thought of before. It help us understand the world better, it helps us understand one another better. Poetry can be used to better comprehend magic or science. Similarly, poetry has a bit mystical and analytical.