Of prose and poetry...

I have asked myself at times (especially since nobody else asks me) , "What exactly is the difference between prose and poetry?" I will not pretend to be qualified enough to comment on all the aspects of this topic. However, one important difference, I feel, lies in the way we present both. How else would you explain the following three pieces, which are composed of the exact same words in the exact same order, just presented differently?

Prose

There are times when I thought, I should go out and see the world. You know how I like the placid rivers and mountains capped, with snow glaciers flowing down the valleys. Ever so slow those silent nights. Under the light of the stars that glow search for passages, through which the cool winds blow and deny the sweat to form, on my brow.

Poem - I

There are times when I thought, I should go
Out and see the world, you know.
How I like the placid rivers and mountains capped, with snow
Glaciers flowing down the valleys, ever so slow
Those silent nights, under the light of the stars that glow
Search for passages, through which the cool winds blow.
And deny the sweat to form, on my brow.

Poem - II

There are times when I thought,
I should go out and see the world,
You know how I like the placid rivers and mountains capped,
With snow glaciers flowing down the valleys,
Ever so slow those silent nights,
Under the light of the stars that glow search for passages,
Through which the cool winds blow.
And deny the sweat to form, on my brow.

Funny isn't it... Let me know what you people feel.