meter v rhythm

[ellajam]

is there one of the two which is more important, or are they symbiotically connected? and if you mention meter,  the rhythm side of it would be a given?

If I'm getting it right, you can have rhythm without meter but not meter without rhythm.

I think whatever armature you choose to hang your poem on it's good to have one under there. A good piece pulls me along with it, it could be the rhythm of the words or phrases or strophes or white space or thoughts, it could be a set meter, even a set syllable count can lend a satisfying underlying pattern that the reader appreciates whether they notice it or not.

When I read the work of someone who feels this isn't necessary while I can see what they've done well, what is missing stands out more and the whole piece falls flat. That's where I'm at as a reader right now.