Many of us commonly perceive poem and poetry are synonymous term. There are few who hardly believes that there are any differences between poem and poetry. The two words poem and poetry are interchangeably used. But if we put the lens on these two terms the difference could be easily noticeable.
A poet is one who composes poems and thus creates poetry in the process. He is just like a potter who is adept in making pot and creating the art form of pottery in the process.
Difference between Poem and Poetry
| Poem | Poetry |
| Oxford dictionary defines poem as “a piece of writing in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by particular attention to diction (sometimes involving rhyme), rhythm, and imagery.” | Oxford dictionary defines poems “literary work in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by the use of distinctive style and rhythm; poems collectively or as a genre of literature.” |
| A poem is the fundamental unit of poetry
| Poetry is a literary art of writing poem |
| A poem is a written piece of work
| Poetry is a literary form |
| Poem is individual piece of work
| Poetry is collected work |
| It is primary imagination
| It is secondary imagination |
| It deals with subject
| It deals with object |
| Poem is different than prose
| Poetry may be a part of prose |
| A poem is the result or the effect of writing poetry | Poetry is the process of creating a literary piece using metaphor, symbols and ambiguity, rhythm, prosody etc. |
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The person alone can be called a poet who composes poetry frequently. He who composes poems occasionally cannot be called a poet but can be called a versifier.
So, Poetry is the art and poems are the result of that artistic expression?
poetry is raw material and poem the final product.
Yup
Confused … I’ve written quite a few 5 to 10 line poems. All of these from my feelings and emotions. Does that make me a poet??