It Doesn’t Have to Rhyme to Be a Poem This is supposed to be a normal article of a moderate length, so there is no way that I’m starting with “what IS poetry?”. Frankly, we don’t have that kind of time. I am a black-and-white thinker, not great at interpreting the moods or feelings of others on paper. That’s why poetry is a great fit for me as a reader because it is adaptable and so open to interpretation that it is basically impossible to be “bad” at it or “wrong” about it. Because it can be so nebulous, poetry really can fit into anyone’s life: a verse or two over your coffee to start your day, maybe a poetic affirmation around lunch time to get you through the back half of your shift. A few lines before bed can give you something to meditate on as you drift off to sleep. The point is that poetry is as flexible as you need it to be. It can also be intimidating! Not all poets are out here smoking French cigarettes and lurking in coffee shops…but some of them are. If you are ready to begin your journey into the vast