Poetry has often been described as the soul of language, a vessel for emotions, and an art form that transcends time. Over the centuries, poets and thinkers have attempted to define this enigmatic medium, each offering a perspective shaped by their era, experiences, and philosophy.

The Many Faces of Poetry: Insights from Great Minds

Here, we explore six iconic definitions of poetry from literary giants, unraveling the layers of meaning they provide.

William Wordsworth’s Definition of Poetry

“Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquillity.”
(Preface to Lyrical Ballads, 1802)

For Wordsworth, poetry is deeply personal and emotional, emerging from moments of reflection. His Romantic sensibilities highlight how poetry captures feelings that bubble up spontaneously, refined and articulated during peaceful introspection. It is as though poetry is a mirror to the soul, reflecting emotions in their purest form.

Percy Bysshe Shelley’s Definition of Poetry

“Poetry lifts the veil from the hidden beauty of the world, and makes familiar objects be as if they were not familiar.”
(A Defence of Poetry, 1821)

Shelley sees poetry as an alchemist, transforming the mundane into the extraordinary. By peeling back the layers of routine perception, poetry reveals the hidden beauty of the world. For Shelley, it is both revelation and rediscovery, a way to see the world anew through the lens of imagination.

John Keats’ Definition of Poetry

“Poetry should surprise by a fine excess, and not by singularity—it should strike the reader as a wording of his own highest thoughts, and appear almost a remembrance.”
(From a letter to John Taylor, 1818)

Keats emphasizes the emotional resonance of poetry. It should feel both fresh and familiar, as though it speaks directly to the reader’s deepest thoughts. For him, poetry is not merely about originality but about connecting with universal truths, wrapping them in beauty and wonder.

T.S. Eliot’s Definition of Poetry

“Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality.“
(Tradition and the Individual Talent, 1919)

Eliot offers a modernist counterpoint to the Romantic view, seeing poetry as a disciplined craft rather than raw emotion. It is a deliberate act of stepping away from personal feelings to achieve universality. For Eliot, poetry transcends the self, becoming a timeless and impersonal medium.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Definition of Poetry

“Poetry: the best words in the best order.”
(Biographia Literaria, 1817)

Coleridge simplifies the essence of poetry into a perfect formula: precision and harmony. Every word in a poem carries weight, chosen with care to create meaning, rhythm, and beauty. For Coleridge, poetry is not just art; it is a science of linguistic perfection.

Robert Frost’s Definition of Poetry

“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.“
(Interview, 1960)

Frost captures the transformational journey of poetry, where raw feelings are distilled into thoughts and then into words. This seamless flow from emotion to articulation defines poetry as both process and product, an art form that bridges the intangible and the tangible.

A Unified Definition of Poetry

These definitions, while distinct, weave a rich tapestry that illustrates the multifaceted nature of poetry. For Wordsworth, it is a reflective overflow; for Shelley, a revelation of hidden beauty. Keats speaks of universal resonance, Eliot of artistic discipline.

Coleridge emphasizes linguistic mastery, while Frost focuses on emotional expression. Together, they reveal that poetry is not just one thing—it is a living, breathing art form that evolves with its creator and its audience.

At Ikike Arts, we love this diversity in the definition and creation of poetry. Be it born of emotion, intellect, or craftsmanship, poetry remains an enduring testament to what words can do.

We dare ask; How do you define poetry? Let us know in the comments below.