Some elements that commonly contribute to the definition of poetry include:
1. Figurative Language: Poems often employ figurative language to add depth and emotional resonance. This includes metaphors, similes, personification, symbolism, and other devices.
2. Imagery: Poets use imagery to evoke vivid mental pictures and create sensory experiences for the reader. Visual, olfactory, auditory, and other sensory details are used to create a multi-dimensional experience.
3. Rhythm: Poems often have a distinct rhythmic pattern, which may be achieved through meter (a consistent pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables), rhyme (the repetition of similar vowel sounds at the ends of lines), or other rhythmic devices.
4. Structure: Poems may have a specific structure, such as sonnets, haikus, or free verse, each with its own unique set of rules and characteristics.
5. Symbolism: Many poems use symbols - words, objects, or actions that represent something beyond their literal meaning - to add deeper layers of meaning and interpretation.
6. Tone and Voice: Poems often convey a specific tone and the poet's distinctive voice. This can include a range of tones from playful to serious, humorous to melancholic, reflective to urgent.
7. Emotion: Poems are often driven by emotion and aim to evoke a response in the reader. This can include joy, sadness, nostalgia, wonder, or any other emotional experience.
8. Compactness: Poems are typically concise and compact in form. Each word is carefully chosen and arranged to create a concentrated impact and poetic density.
9. Musicality: Poems often exhibit a musical quality through the use of sound, rhythm, and patterns. This musicality can enhance the overall aesthetic experience of the poem.
10. Ambiguity and Openness to Interpretation: Poems often allow for multiple interpretations and personal connections. The depth and complexity of a poem can lie in its ability to prompt readers to think, feel, and question on multiple levels.
While these elements are common in poetry, it is important to note that not all poems adhere to all of these characteristics. Modern and experimental poetry, for example, may break away from traditional forms and structures. Ultimately, the definition of a poem is fluid and subject to individual interpretation.