Cliches versus Idioms

[Valerie Please]

The dreaded cliche . . . we should absolutely never use them. This is a hard and fast rule. 

But what about idiomatic expressions and vernacular language? Cliches are technically a subset of idioms. Is there a distinction to be drawn between idioms, vernacular language, and cliches? They can arguably be useful for cultural shorthand, establishing a time, place, or worldview. 

Where do we draw the line? Is it total annihilation of idiomatic expressions?

I don't think poetry is a tool for communication, because we don't live in pre-literate societies. Therefore, the need for a 'cultural shorthand' is questionable - exceptions aside. What hand are you trying to shorten here?

There's a lot here: let's deal with this question first. It's true that poetry did serve a specific and distinct function in a preliterate society, but it was a mnemonic function. Poetry was the first accounting system, the first way to track histories and heritage. And yes, it's true that we have spreadsheets and Facebook for that now. But why strip poetry of its roots and its cultural heritage? The notion that we are writing poetry to be incomprehensible seems very odd to me. I appreciate the argument that you are making for higher mental activity and intellectualism, however the mere fact that we are having these discussions on a forum belies the idea that poetry isn't supposed to be communicative. If we aren't trying to communicate *something* through poetry, then I'm not sure why this forum exists. I suppose it could exist as an intellectual pissing contest to see who can be the most erudite and inscrutable. Oh, but why stop there? 

To this market segment, idioms are lazy and sloppy. Why should I read her copy paste trite? They'd ask. 
Unless you're Rupi Kaur on Instagram.
Are you Rupi Kaur?

Ha I wish! She's sold like three million copies of poetry books. I've never read her, personally. I googled her and yes "Milk and Honey" sounds cliche. It's also an idea that has a rich cultural legacy, that can transmit an entire worldview as an allusion in an efficient way. The pitfall, in my opinion, is just doing what you've said and just recycling the same thing. But, is it not possible to take something from the cradle of civilization and use it in a new way? Is that also not a potential intellectual project? Is that not what someone like Garcia Lorca or Bob Dylan does: act as a crucible of cultural heritage and creating a new project that knows where it's been and knows where it's going?