WHO OR WHAT A POET IS
Let us begin as any book begins. By finding the dictionary definition of what or who a poet is. The oxford dictionary I have on my computer defines a poet as: 1. Writer of poems 2. Highly imaginative or expressive person. I am force to agree with the later but highly imaginative and expressive? I don't think I agree with it. For the simple reason that there are a lot of highly imaginative person and expressive people out there who are nowhere near being poet or classified as such. Some of this people are artist, painters, software developers, musicians, teachers, etc.
A poet according to my definition which you will not find in any dictionary or book ever written is 'someone who sees a stone on the floor and he/she is inspired to write something about it which he/she doesn't even understand'
But putting humor aside, which is the true definition of a poet. Because practically we don't even understand half the words we are writing. But the spirit of poetry is like an aggressive force, because ones it hits you, your hands will be shaking for a paper and pen. And if you don't get any, well guess you will use stick to inscribe your thought on the floor. Poetry is divine expression force and a poet is an instrument of that force. Some believe we are not human beings, others believe we are into spirits. While the majority believe we are just show offs. And yet still a few believe we have no part to play in this world. Well if you are one of the few let me clarify your dark mind once more. Poet are messengers of the divine (mother-father Supreme Being) as ADENUGA will say 'we are nothing but pencil in the hands of the creator' and especially poet. And it is quiet painful that where I come from there is little appreciation for the art. But hey who cares? I will still write till my spirit leaves my body.
There are different types of poet but we all belong to the same umbrella. The lyricist, Expressionist or spoken poet, etc. and frankly speaking there are a lot of great poet hiding in the shadows of Ghana. Wearing mask like Zorro all because over here, poetry is not much appreciated, and no income can be made out of it.