On Meaning In Poetry

This quote from an interview with the poet John Ashbery reminded me why the teaching of poetry in schools is so misguided. Lessons invariably focus on determining the meaning of a poem. But poems aren't about meaning per se. They are about the play of language and thought, of imagery and cadence, and so on. Each poem has an impetus, some experience or spontaneous vision that calls forth the desire to treat it with language, but the experience isn't the same as meaning. The experience isn't meant to be explained. Of course, it's not like there isn't meaning involved, but the meaning isn't the point. It's the evocation of experience and the creation of new experience in the writing and reading of the poem. Here's what Ashbery said:

"Eliot said meaning in poetry is like the piece of meat that the burglar throws the watchdog so he can get at the treasure or whatever he's looking for."