Think about the different poems you've read so far in this course. Were they all written for the same purpose, or did each poem's author have a distinct reason for writing the poem? In a discussion post, share your response to one of these prompts: Prompt 1: Choose a poem that speaks directly to you or one that sums up your view of the world. Describe what you think the poem means and also explain the poet's purpose for writing it--in other words, what he or she was trying to accomplish. (Be sure to identify the poem's title and author in your post.)

Prompt 2: Describe the role that poetry plays in American society today. What purpose does poetry serve, and who benefits from it? (Remember that poetry appears in many places besides textbooks or poetry collections, including song lyrics, advertising, and spoken-word performances.)