Poetry as defined by Webster's Dictionary, is simply metrical writing or verses. However, in actuality, poetry embodies much more richness. This definition excludes cadenced poetry, modern free verse, and fails to account for the unwritten songs of many cultures, past and present. In essence, poetry is a form of imaginative literary expressions that makes its effects by the sound and imagery of its language. It allows the numerous emotions of human experiences to be transferred out of body and spirit into metrical language on paper. Poetry has come down from ancient times. In Egyptian hieroglyphic inscriptions of about 2600 BC types of poetry are found in forms of lament, hymns, elegies, and odes. Emphasis was on religion in the Egyptian culture, but it is also engrossed in other ancient poetries such as Hittite, Hebrew, Assyro-Babylonian, and Sumerian. The ancient poetry tells myths of the creation of gods, epics of godlike heroes and historical heroes and the significance of the Nile River. Poetry is one of the most widespread of the arts. Its origin can be found in communal expressions taken from music, song, and dance, of the religious spirit. A few of the communal expressions are folk song and music, Negro spirituals, Georgian chants and African dance and music. Folk songs are primarily communal compositions, expressions of race and or culture that is produced through melody and words in areas like Poland, Bulgaria, and Norway. In these nations folk song were associated with life activities, rituals, work, and child bearing. Since folk songs were passed orally, the words could be changed, but the message usually remained the same. Negro spirituals were brought from Africa during the slavery times. It was not only a form of praise, but it was also a form of communication. Many times these spirituals were used to let slaves know when they could escape, which route to take, and homes they could hide in for safety. Georgian chants were used in the service of the Christian church during the Middle Ages. These majestic chants serve as reminders of humankind's devotion to religion in the Middle Ages. African dance and music are frequently connected with masked-dance, members who imitate or are possessed by spirits. These expressions are maintained by oral tradition and cultivated largely by societies in Sub-Saharan Africa. The rhythmic use of language distinguishes poetry from imaginative prose and other great divisions of literature. This rhythmic use, or meters, depends on the relative strength and weakness of adjacent syllables, monosyllabic words, and intensity. These strengths and weaknesses play a huge role in whether the poetry is in Arabic verse, classical Greek, or Latin verse, to name few.  Poetry has proven to be an adaptable art lasting throughout the centuries. Take a moment to personify society. Think of society as having feelings of pain, anguish, enthusiasm, cheerfulness, and growth. Poetry has combined all of these emotions and defined each in depth, allowing future generations to read and feel the lives of past generations. It as shaped the culture of the American people in communication: letters and songs, social atmosphere: poetic bars and group gatherings and more.