Andrey's questions about poems (split from the intro thread)

[Todd]

It's not so much a reading comprehension problem as it is my problem with what is at the foundation of poetry. My argument is this: why does a poet feel the need to use metaphors when we already have prose? Why contrive a confusing piece of literature and make the reader work hard on its meaning when it is only supposed to convey an idea? What practical  advantage do metaphors have over simple terms?

I don't know why you would assume that a poem is "only supposed to convey an idea." This feels like a very flat understanding of what poetry and even what good literature is supposed to do. This is the sort of definition one might attach to a newspaper article or a blog post. I do think this statement of yours does address the core issue as to why you don't connect with poetry.

I honestly find it hard to believe you'd actually be able to come to an appreciation of poetry from this framework. That isn't necessarily bad. It will probably just never be your thing.

Interesting thread though