Aah, John. And here am I wondering how "live and let live" isn't a timeless and universal credo!
I can't join you in deprecating free verse or weak craftsmanship. What pursuit worth its salt leaves no room for beginners, amateurs, and dabblers? And there is much wonderful free verse poetry.
But I do find it strange that when, as you say, something works well enough for 300 years and a new wave hits, instead of adding to the already rich heritage, the new way largely supplants the old one. How did so many capable modern poets come to ignore formal poetry? How did we come to a point where
a web-page on the history of poetry contains this:
Quote:
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Serious modern poetry is written by and for well-educated, highly literate people. The vocabulary used is deliberately unusual so as to force the reader to think about what is being described. The choice of precisely the correct word is often seen as more important than any devices of form which might dictate the use of a less startling or original word. Rhyme is almost seen as having a cheapening effect.
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