In what ways has poetry helped you grow as a person?

Question: In what ways has poetry helped you grow as a person!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

There are many parts of me, some more abstract or more obfuscated!. I write from the core, or the axis, of all these aspects, and therefor my own self becomes enlightened to me, and I become more whole!. I also must confront these aspects in order to express myself in poetry, and this contributes to my wholeness, and growth, as well!. And reading the poetry of others defines alternate perspectives and offers experiences that I would otherwise not have known!. Very interesting question!. Thank you!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Poetry is a way to express feelings and experiences that I would never otherwise express!. It has helped me to get past some very tragic times!. It is a way to tell the stories metaphorically that would have been too painful otherwise either for me to tell or for others to hear, a way to bring deep feelings to the surface and share them with others!. I tried to do this in other ways before but my life was too ugly and raw for others to hear it so I chose poetry!. For example, I once told the story about how I was orphaned by terrible violence of others, how members of my family were murdered, how my mom slowly went insane and was institutionalized, how I was abused in foster care and how these events pushed me to the edge of reality!. I told the story in full detail unblinking cause that's how it all happened and the person I told this whole story to cried for three days and afterwards felt sorry for me!. Well, no one need feel sorry for me cause from my experience I have an insight into humanity and an appreciation for life which few share!. That which I now know I dare say is not taught in school or anywhere else!. But how to share it!? How to get it out so it doesn't suffocate me!? So it doesn't crush you with the full weight of the ugly painful truth!?

The answer
for me
is Poetry

'The words of worldly wisdom
from those who sought to soothe my wounds
could not reach me nor rang true
for i knew they could not know me
and never would
but I knew them
and their tries were noble
yet futile
but still i felt the love
and now that i am past the pain
i see with sharpest eyes
to feel the rain
and liesWww@QuestionHome@Com

It has opened doors in my soul that I didn't even know existed!. Every time I am in a situation, I am able to take myself out of it and see as I would write it from the viewpoint of the observer, how I would create it and mold the end in my mind!. Then I am able to enter back in, and craft the ending I desire!. It's good to see you again, sher!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I've become braver!.!.!.!.I am able to admit that I actually write poetry now, without making fun of myself to save other people from doing so first!. My self-belief has grown immensely, not just from writing poetry but from gaining good critiques!. I was happy before, and writing poetry has added to that happiness!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Poetry has allowed a side of me I didn't know existed come to the surface!. It has afforded me the chance to learn again, as well!. And about writing, something I hated when I was younger, although I always loved poetry! I hope to keep learning and writing till they pry the keyboard out of my stiff, cold fingers!.!.!.far better than guns, don't you think!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Poetry is a melody of songs
sung by a choir of poets
that open many doors
to experience and
human nature's
many mirrors
to people places and things!.

Nice to hear you here again
are you settled in sunny So!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Mon Sher!.!.haun haunnnnn!.!.!.Zo nighz 2 zee u hagin!.!.!.!.!.oh , the Q:!.!.!.

Welll, you know !.!.!.you been watching!.!.!.!.Work in progress, sums it up well, but the writers have shown me about release and presenting to readers!.!.!.and this has tempered me!.!.One stoop at a time!.!.!.
Stick around for a spell!.!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Through poetry I have met people on the Internet from all over the planet!. I have been able work at a job that I love!. Poetry has also made me examine my own abilities and do a bit of reaching for the stars as well!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Poetry has helped me cope with a lot of things in my life!. I write my own poetry to capture emotion and put others in the same moment and hopefully recreate the feelings from that time!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

I am able to reveal every side of me!. I don't believe that a coin just has two sides!. A coin is also round, some have smooth edges, some ridged!. I am a coin in a bank of other poetic change!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think I've had good luck,
but I don't give a f**k!.

(didn't want to spell it out, as it might get me suspended or banned)!.

Here's another little ditty,

There once was a man from Nantucket!.!.!.!.!.
Www@QuestionHome@Com

Reading and writing poetry has taught me to slow down, and REALLY look at things, FEEL things!.!.!.APPRECIATE things, all things!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

it has helped me express my feelings and become stronger!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

From sitting on my backside writing, I have now grown to a bit over 300 pounds!.
Www@QuestionHome@Com

I used to be 4'6"!.!.!.hehehe

There is poetry at every step and turn!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

not at allWww@QuestionHome@Com

it hasn'tWww@QuestionHome@Com