Do we need line breaks?

[dukealien]

"Poetry got its start being spoken out loud, which is still its greatest strength.
Using line breaks and blank lines, absent other forms of time control,
lets the words stand on the page, alone. This helps the reader's brain switch
into aural perception mode, so they hear the poem instead of read it."
- Kay Ryan

Also, since poetry was originally oral (especially before writing), it gives the skald opportunities to breathe.  We are not (like birds, with their syrinx, or a piper with circular breathing) able to both talk/sing and breathe at the same time.  It also gave the poet time to think if he's making it up as he goes along - OK, next line ends with "wine-dark sea" to fill the meter but what more can I say about Ajax busting chops?