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

[AndreyGaganov]

If all poetry seems to be cryptic, pretentiously stylistic, and opposed to communication, you have probably not read enough poetry, or have managed to only select piss-poor poems.

The same thought reverberates - quality and quantity. Doesn't hurt to bring it up again on this thread, though. 

This is one of the reasons I enjoy poetry. I view it as any other art - a reflection of environment ...

When I listen to music (specifically sound, not lyrics), I imagine things that strike me more as collectively a reaction to, not a reflection of the environment. But considering what you've said there, I guess a part of my brain will have to tell me which it is going to be when it comes to poetry. 

- but I can listen to it, or read it. The deaf may see it, the blind may hear it - ...

So, you are suggesting that poetry isn't necessarily read or spoken text. It can be something exclusively visual or exclusively musical. Did I get that right? (Brings back the memory of someone saying that poetry is all around us.)

If you would like to know how to approach a reading of poetry, I will explain it (simply) this way, the way my professor explained poetry to my class.

Music is an art of sounds and rhythms.
Visuals is the art of images.
Poetry is the art of language.

The first thing that comes to mind when I read the words 'the art of language' is rhetoric. On an additional note: as I understand, good poetry is supposed to make a positive effect that is not to be understood, but then this concept of 'not understanding the effect' butts heads with the concept of 'rhetoric'. 

Thank you for your two cents.