How do you feel about poetry? Have your own experiences been positive or negative? Do you read poetry for your own pleasure?

Poet Janet Wong suggests that many adults dislike poetry because of their experiences with poetry during their school years. How do you feel about poetry? List some of your own experiences with poetry both positive or negative. Do you read poetry for your own pleasure now? At what age should teachers encourage children to learn the formal elements and forms of poetry? When should children be asked to write poetry? What would you like to tell to your former teachers about how to teach poetry? Compile a list of how to turn adults on to poetry and extend this from or to your classroom.