Richard made a good point when he said that understanding a poem isn't synonymous with the ability to paraphrase or articulate a poem's meaning. I understand more than I can articulate. But words are about communication. If the poet's words don't communicate some understanding to me, it probably means the poet is inarticulate, lazy, or kidding the kidder.
On the other hand, I don't have to understand music or non-representational art to enjoy it. I just have to like the combination of colors, patterns, rhythms, or sounds. There are no badly used words to miscommunicate, and if meaning exists for the artist it needn't concern the viewer. Perhaps the finger whose prominence distracts the watcher from a view of the moon is a sore thumb.
Carol
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