I have been reading poetry for a while, mostly when I was in primary school but back then I didn't take time to analyze I just considered poetry a rhyming story. Now looking at it closely with a some what prior knowledge of the topic, I relate poems to riddles, they have a much deeper and secretive meaning than stories. Stories are where the author classifies characters, plot and moral, whereas poems you look for a personal meaning, being to characters, plot or moral, you can relate your experiences and feeling to them.
I remember when I was around 7-8 years old I had to memorize a poem and it was very long and hard to remember. I recall my mother saying memorize it as a song (due to the hannah montana craze I was going though I made sure the poem was recited alike the “Best Of Both Worlds” song was) Putting aside my childhood I found that memorizing a poem like a beat or song can make it much easier to remember. This experience can allow me to relate poems to lyrics and songs both having a personal connection to the author and reader/listener.
I had it today
For just an hour,
Then, tugged away
By the winds power
It sailed off free
Above the crowd,
High as a tree,
High as a cloud,
High as the moon,
High as the sun,
My blu balloon
Has gone, gone, gone
~ Eric Finney