Do not be cross with poetry

[QDeathstar]

well, I disagree.  I think understanding a poem is key to enjoying it. Not understanding a poem is like being unable to see porn, just hearing random groans and being generally confused as to what is actually going on.

A poem without meaning is for me, pointless. There are poems to make you laugh, to make you think, to make you feel. They have meaning and purpose, perhaps without a "meaning" other that that, I'm ok with them.

A poem that I can't understand is for me, a bad poem. A good crossword puzzle atleast gives you clues. If you can't solve the puzzle with the clues given then what's the point in creating the puzzle. I'm not saying I know everything or that if can't get the poem, no one can. But, what i can say is, i can't enjoy the crossword puzzle if I can't decipher the clues and I certainly can't enjoy a poem without understanding what is being written.

I feel like a poems meaning is important to critiquing. There's a huge difference between saying "you're poem is too abstract and the words lack meaning, and seem to be put together in random order" and the reality of "I can't understand what you are trying to say, therefore your poem doesn't make sense."

But nobody understands Dylan Thomas and he's wonderful to read. I think if you're incomprehensible, you need to be really really good, the best. The relationship between clarity and beauty is hyperbolic.

well, I disagree. Especially visa vi critiquing.

It's pretty easy to derive meaning from "don't got gentle into the night"