a point arose about this is not poetry

[witsentat]

I think that for it to really be poetry it must be written in the metaphoric blood of the poet. It need not be shared. Need not in fact be read at all. It is a communion between the poet and the universe. Something most of us, never achieve. It is poetry because I, the poet, say it is. If it looks like prose to you, and I say it is poetry, then it is poetry. Lighten upn everybody.

Inquote='Todd' pid='142107' dateline='1380852168']
Okay, so when is something prose like without poetic elements, and when is it a prose poem?

Do people accept that there are prose poems? Or do they largely consider that category sophistry?

Take it further, is free verse poetry?

Is experimental poetry poetry or just "too-cute" horseshit?

We all critique. We all have opinions, and we're not shy to share them.

My take:

There's a lot of poems I see written that stay too close to the narrative. You read them and get a "and then this happened" feel. That's where I think they need to be edited to make them less like prose.

I think there are legitimate prose poems (some of Rimbaud springs to mind). That said, a lot of prose poetry could be found poetry in novels so I realize the definition can be blurred. My view of poetry for the little it's worth accepts that there are prose poems, with the caveat, that not every poem with prose elements is a prose poem.

Free verse: definitely poetry

Experimental: Sometimes, but with a great deal horseshit in the mixture.
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