* Poem: This refers to a single, individual piece of writing that follows the conventions of poetry. It's like the difference between a song and music – a song is a specific composition, while music is a broader art form.
* Poetry: This is the broader art form itself. It encompasses all written works that utilize poetic devices like rhythm, rhyme, imagery, and figurative language. Poetry can be found in different forms like sonnets, haikus, free verse, and more.
Think of it like this:
* Poem: A specific poem by Robert Frost like "The Road Not Taken."
* Poetry: The entire collection of poems by Robert Frost, including all his different styles and works.
So, when someone says "I love poetry," they mean they appreciate the art form in general. But when they say "I loved that poem," they're referring to a specific piece of writing.