Simplicity in Poetry

[milo]

I think there is a big difference between "poetry communicates" and "the purpose of poetry is to communicate". If you purpose is to communicate then you have chosen a terrible vehicle in poetry. As for meaning, consider the following:

You and I have a friend, Mr. Prose, who is an amateur big game hunter and, in the opportunity of a lifetime, he gets a chance to go to Africa and hunt a bull lion. When he returns, he wants to communicate the great experience so he tells us of the exotic food he ate and of the great people he met and describes the excitement of the hunt and the elation of finally killing a great bull lion and he communicates his message well as both you and I agree that it sounds lovely.

Now, let's say that at the last minute, our friend Mr. Prose fell ill so his brother Mr. Poetry went on the hunt instead. When Mr. Poetry returned he wanted to communicate how great the experience was but instead of telling us, he takes us both to Africa and has us relive his expedition. At the end, you agree that the experience was wonderful and fulfilling but I am aghast at the awfulness of it all. Well, I guess Mr. Poetry just did not communicate as well as Mr. Prose.