Is Close Enough Ever Good Enough... A Discussion

[Tiger the Lion]

 We all know that poetry breaks all language rules as needed 

BINGO!

I agree, but I don't think we should oversimplify the subject of rule breaking in poetry. Without specific intent, a rule broken is a just a mistake. In this case it seems to me we are already in an abstract scene and "refracted" works fine. You could reconjugate "refract" all day and not please every reader. Effect trumps correct. "Intent" is at the heart of this discussion IMO.