what does poetry do?

Gerald M. Edelman said, "Science is imagination in the service of verifiable truth."
This is a beautiful and succinct definition. I wonder if we can come up with one for poetry that is as clear and definite. "Poetry is imaginationin the service of...............

Highlights from the Last Open Mic

Things We Know and Love

Peanut Princesses
Lawton Municipal "Airport."
William Butler Yeats

Things We Didn't Expect

Steamy, sexy slash
Three very surprised giraffes
Stars fallen to ash.