What is the purpose of poetry?

The purposes for writing poetry are as varied as the poets themselves. Some write for monetary gain, although it is often said that there is little money in poetry. Others write to collect their thoughts and express their memories and sensations. Some write to explain and describe their experiences, while others seek to obscure their subject in mysticism. There are those who write for the love of spoken language and the musicality of words. Some aim to evoke emotions and stir passion, while others tell epic tales or provide humor. Some seek catharsis and self-reflection, while others write to communicate or hide. These diverse reasons for writing poems are countless, like the grains of sand on a beach or stars in the sky.