If Word Perfect is a must, then the iPad can not help you. If you want the ability to write poetry on the iPad, then there are numerous options. I have at least five of them on my iPad.
The rest is just my opinion on choosing a device for poetry. Being my opinion I am somewhat attached to the idea that it has value, but feel free to skip it with no hard feelings.
Writing poetry does not require any special layout, formatting, or other word processor options. Well, except for shape poetry and a few other oddball sub-geners. That means you don't need any special app or program. In some ways the high powered programs are a detriment. They have their own formats, and those formats are not future proofed.
I believe a simpler app that saves your words in plain text is preferable. Plain text is going to be around for a long long time. Because it is compatible with most editing apps, you can switch apps and platforms any time you like. You are free to experiment.
Now, later on, when you wish to publish, layout becomes more important. But let's face it, this is something that will be done and re-done for each book or chapbook. There is little advantage to having a tweaked look when you're going to have to revisit it each time you do a layout.
This means that for the creation/writing process your choice of hardware should not be chained to a program. Instead choose the hardware that you think you will be most comfortable with for writing. Think about how and where you want to write. Sitting at a desk or table, with a full keyboard? On a bus, slowly adding and editing words on a screen. A bit of both. Maybe something you can pull out of a (big) pocket to write and/or read almost anywhere?
So, what I'm saying is to choose the hardware you believe will be the most enabling. There tons of writing solutions for every platform. You may have to do a little research, and experiment a bit, but there is bound to be something that will do what you want in a way you like, no matter what hardware you choose.
Well, assuming you get something that works well. I'm not talking form factor here, but actual performance.
The small, cheap laptop (netbook), in my experience, is about the most un-enabling device invented. At least I found it so. You might find it otherwise, but hold in mind that these laptops typically have undersized keyboards, and take several minutes to boot. Hardly the tool to capture inspiration. Make sure whatever you choose that it works well in it's category.
Oh, and disregard the user name. It's origin makes no significant contribution to the above opinion, or my fitness as a wordsmith of any kind.
Good luck.
