(1989-present) I've been writing poetry since probably early high school (who hasn't written a poem in high school though haha). I've been off and on writing for the last few years but within the past month have really fired up again. I know I've probably improved since high school but who knows if I'm any good? "eye of the beholder" I guess. But I don't write to be good necessarily. I write to express and be my own beholder.
In others poetry I really appreciate good rhythm, things that sound like they're meant to be read out loud, and with perfect pauses and different inflection. I like poetry that I can't always understand but makes me feel something or have a physical response. I love poetry that takes common things in life and turns them, holds them in a new way that you may not have expected, poetry that helps one grow (for both the writer and reader).