What defines a poem? What makes it good? Bad high school English classes confused the heck out of me!?

Answer 1

A good poem works on a few different levels. It presents a condensed observation or epiphany to you that goes beyond just a surface retelling. It will use figurative language to this effect. There will be precise word choice, imagery, a sense of rhythm to it. If it is free verse it will fit together and won't seem like some disjointed collection of words. The voice of the writer will fit well with the topic being discussed (as casual or formal as necessary to seem genuine).

Those are a few of the traits that define a good poem.

Answer 2

Well for me you cannot *define* a "good" poem - like,music,art and so on it is personal - if you like it it is good *for you*.
I don't agree with "sophist" that it needs to be complex.Simplicity can conceal great writing -


Into my heart on air that kills
From yon far country blows:
What are those blue remembered hills,
What spires, what farms are those?

That is the land of lost content,
I see it shining plain,
The happy highways where I went
And cannot come again.

A.E. Houseman.

So we'll go no more a-roving
So late into the night,
Though the heart still be as loving,
And the moon still be as bright.

For the sword outwears its sheath,
And the soul outwears the breast,
And the heart must pause to breathe,
And love itself have rest.

Though the night was made for loving,
And the day returns too soon,
Yet we'll go no more a-roving
By the light of the moon.

Lord Byron.

And our own Tony Harrison caused a stir with his "V" which said a lot about modern Society - I can't remember that by heart and can't find it online but this may lead you to it -

http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/profile/?p=auth188

Anywhow it's nice to discuss poety.
Best wishes,
Joan.

Answer 3

The explosion of forms in modern times has made poetry chaotic. There is no firm guide as to what is poetry anymore other than it must have some form of rhythm. The more complex and rhythmical it is, the better is the poetry. Think of it as prose that sings when you read it.

Answer 4

good advise from some knowledgable people before me.

But my question is just because you are a poet, is everything you write considered poetry? A lovely note to your husband or wife. If I wrote it would be a nice note, if Emily Dickinson wrote it, poetry. hmmm.

Answer 5

Here's Wiki's poetry page. Maybe it will help.

Pretty much, though, good poetry is felt. You just know if it's good. It flows and it touches you.

Answer 6

it is good if you liked it, it is bad if you didn't like it, pay no attention to your english teacher oppinion that is just their oppinion. you keep your own oppinion as to what a good poem is to you.