Structure and convention versus free style

[Stellar Nocturne]

I always get told that I don't write for the average layman. I understand that a layman might like to read poetry that he can understand instead of looking up big words. But when only one person says bad things, I tend to ignore what I don't think is valid and focus on fixing what I need to fix that coincides with what that person suggests. Or if that person makes a valid suggestion, I fix it. 

However, I don't always feel that you should write for the average layman.  Sure, you'll get a bigger audience and more people will like your poem.  But if you can't find smaller words to replace a bigger word, I say keep the big word. 

I also don't understand why some people have problems with poetry that ignores standard line structure and established ways of rhythm.  Does a poem have to be Shakespearean in nature to be good?  Should line structure only be lauded when the person sticks to conventional methods of writing blank verse?  I don't think a person's poetry should be limited by the types of poetry that came before them.  A person should be allowed to write whatever they want however they want, within reason.  Don't judge them because they ignored your conventions.

I think that poetry should have feeling and be written to reflect the author's experiences. However, I still feel that a lot of people don't like poetry to be anything more than rhythmic and geared toward laymen.

What do you guys think? I'm a bit puzzled because people have been telling me to write in layman's terms a lot these days.  I don't want to give up my basic style of poetry to accommodate all of a layman's desires.  Stripping my poetry bare feels cheap.  In your opinion, what is writing in layman's terms and how important is it to stick to poetic conventions?  Should you only write for a layman or do other types of poetry have merit?  How do you get people to acknowledge poetry written without a layman's best interests in mind? 

[TwinShadow]

I can't really say much on the subject as English was my worst class and forever will be (and I can't write a poem worth crap 99.9% of the time), but I can tell you that some of the standards are getting ridiculous these days. I don't agree with them because people like me can't think on their terms and would rather write about something people feel like writing.

I don't mind reading poems, there are many I do like, standard or not. I think people should just write what they want without restriction. (of course, 'rules' apply, but y'all should know that XD)

I'm not too familiar with the "layman" bit as I don't necessarily hear it that much anymore, so I kinda forgot any direct meaning to it.

[animehuman]

90% of "free verse" poems aren't any good.

Most of them lack rhythm. If you have some rhythm in your poetry but it isn't that conventional then it's good.

You can't slap a sticker on prose and call it poetry. There's a clear distinction.


As for the vocabulary thing. People's vocabularies are shrinking. Use whatever words you want.