The root meaning of 'imagery' is to 'imitate.' It literally means 'a reflection in a mirror.' Hence, an 'image' is 'a word picture' by means of which the poet conveys his feelings and emotions to his readers. When we come across an image in a poem it helps us to imagine and experience the same feelings and emotions which the poet experienced.
For example, Shelley in his "Ode to a Skylark" is captivated by the beauty of the bird but he is unable to make his readers comprehend its beauty in a few words, so he compares the skylark to a series of objects and hopes that the images he has created will help his readers to comprehend the beauty of the bird:
"What thou art we know not; What is most like thee? From rainbow clouds there flow not Drops so bright to see,
As from thy presence showers a rain of melody: -"
In this stanza he compares the beauty of the skylark and its soul stirring melody to the raindrops which form the rainbow.
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