Simplicity in Poetry

[Lizzie]

"Simplicity" is like "good"; both terms are too subjective and too abstract to be useful.

What's simple to some people isn't to others. It comes down to your choice of audience.

If your intended audience is familiar with Greek mythology, Greek gods can vastly simplify your poetry.
The single word "Sisyphus" (which still works) easily takes the place of 10 to 30 other words.

Using uncommon terminology limits your audience, appealing to everyone narrows your subject matter.
Can't have it all.

Well, you've got me there, I did use Sisyphean in one of my poems here, didn't I? But, you're right that I did have this forum in mind as an audience, and I knew it would be easily understood.

I think it's true that what's common to one person wouldn't be to another.

Words can be such paltry things, eh?