Community college English composition classes are ideal for expanding the circumference of poetry because (1) reading poetry broadens students' horizons and may lead to an interest in literature, (2) writing poetry helps students express themselves and skills acquired in poetry-writing may carry over into essay writing, (3) reading/writing poetry facilitates the study of vocabulary and connotation, and (4) students enjoy poetry if it is presented effectively. Certain poems, such as Karl Shapiro's "Auto Wreck" lend themselves particularly well to study by students who would not be moved by the works of the major poets. Students enjoy writing poetry as long as they know that their work will not be gauged by some impossible standard of excellence, and computer programs ("Compupoem" and "Poetrywriter" are two examples) can be a great help to them. A survey indicated that a number of community college instructors are skeptical about the possibility of interesting their students in poetry. One or two teachers even suggested that community college students lacked a certain sensitivity and therefore exposing them to poetry would be a waste of time. Others, however, believe that reading and writing poetry can increase word awareness, stimulate imagination, and help students become better writers in general. (Samples of students' poetry and 16 references are included.) (AEW)