What does poetry mean to me?

It is much more than a fancy way to speak,

Stringing similes and metaphors together

To simpy say that "He is handsome" or

"I exsist, here I am!".

It is painting words into the minds of others,

A story told in the form of stanzas,

A plea, a cry for help, or to simply

Affirm that you are in exsistence.

Poetry is meant to make you feel,

To question life, to find your path,

"The road less taken," if you will.

Poetry is the calm I feel

When the winds in my chest

Grow too strong;

It is my religion,

My practice,

My art that I have honed since I was a child.

I am poetry,

Tear-jerking, nose running,

Poetry.