NCERT Book Class 11 English (Woven Words) Poetry 1 The Peacock

106 Woven Words

POETRY

INTRODUCTION

The word ‘poetry’ originates from a Greek word meaning
‘to make’. A poet is thus a maker and the poem
something that is made or created. No single definition
of poetry is possible but some characteristic features
of poetry may be mentioned. Poetry has a musical
quality with rhythm, pitch, metre; and it may use
figures of speech such as simile and metaphor.
While quite a few poems in this selection are in
traditional forms, the unit also includes modern poems
that are free from formal restrictions.
Examples of ‘haiku’ and ‘limerick’ have been included
to introduce learners to these forms and to make
students look to poetry for fun. Students need not be
set questions or tested on this.