Simplicity in Poetry

[Achebe]

A lot of poems may seem to use more words than necessary, often able to summarized in a brief sentence or two (see Leanne's example). 

Leanne was, I'm sure, making the opposite point. But it's interesting that Byron's celebrated poem is not that great by modern standards: the only wow point is the enjambment at the end of L1.
I am disappointed that people on this thread are essentially saying the same thing, basically that 'complexity for the sake of complexity is pointless, and simplicity to the point of inanity is as bad'. Hard to argue with that.

So here's something you can argue with:

A poem should be a lesson in morality. It should educate the reader about sin, god, and the ways of the wicked. It should not contain profanities unless the poet really wants it to. And it should always be in Swahili.
If you disagree with the above, you're pathetic.