Friday is Phantom Billstickers National Poetry Day - a celebration of all things poetical in Aotearoa.

This week we're talking about poetry on our blog (see our interview with Paula Green yesterday) and today we are showcasing a ''found thread'' from Twitter that discusses this special art-form.

Initiated by poet Sugar Magnolia Wilson over the weekend, the thread holds some real gems, and we asked Sugar for her permission to post it here. In addition, you can enter our giveaway to win a copy of Sugar's collection Because a Woman's Heart is Like a Needle at the Bottom of the Ocean (Auckland University Press).

Also, tune in to TV3's The Project on the evening of National Poetry Day to watch her talk about what poetry means to her and why it's important.

We'd love to know what you think in response to the question: What is poetry for?

From the thread:

It’s a way of describing/explaining emotions/events succinctly, but beautifully - Gem Wilder @GemWilder

Because it reminds us of the power of language and the weight of words and asks us to slow down and hold each single one. And it reminds us to experiment and look at things differently too (?!) - Aimee Jane O'Connor @ajaoc96

Poetry is expressing concisely the beauty and meaning of (everyday) experience. It matters because a life devoid of beauty and meaning is not worth living - Alexandra Dumitrescu @alexandra_balm

It’s like a quicksand plunge into life’s deep emotions. It stills the world. - Eddy @missbunnykins

Poetry is maybe the best place to be experimental with language? I always feel like I'm seeing double and trying to do five things at once - and those things are allowed to be contradictory. like you're telling a joke but the goal is to upset everyone just a little bit - Felix Culpa @DaniYourukova

I'd start by showing them Moemoea, and see if they now get it... - Thalia @sacraparental

Poetry will always surprise you by showing you what you think you might have always felt about a thing... even a tiny mundane thing, but the poetry articulates it for your brain in a way you just know is true but the explanation still sits apart. A beautiful, familiar mystery! - Claire Mabey @ClaireMabey

It allows for new uses of language and expression of concepts/emotions/things that are difficult to describe in other forms. Also the more forms of communication we have with each other the better chance we have of growing and understanding ourselves and each other - Ellieright? @foxfoxxfox

It's text that provides an opportunity always to change how you view the world. Takes communication and turns it into an object - essa @ired0mi