Purpose of Poetry

I was thinking about this this morning, and though I think it's impossible to select just one of those reasons, I do think it's a great question to ponder. At some point, whether we're applying for a grant/fellowship or talking to a publisher or being interviewed on NPR (or whatever they call it these days)* we are asked such questions, so it's good to mull over these things, get as close as possible to the answers as we move forward in our craft/art.

*Indicates high hopes for all of us.