"بسیاری از اشعار معاصر مانند داستان‌های کوتاه ناموفق به نظر می‌رسند تا شعر ناموفق."

The essence of this quote is that modern poetry often feels more like an unsuccessful attempt at writing very short stories rather than true poetry. Let’s break this down. Essentially, it's arguing that today’s poems sometimes miss the mark because they try to tell a compact narrative but fail to capture the essence and artistry of verse. They end up being neither good poetry nor good short stories.

Imagine, for a moment, you’re at a poetry reading. Instead of hearing the rhythmic, evocative language that sweeps you into an emotional or sensory experience, you get a snippet of a story that doesn’t quite land. It’s like hearing a joke without the punchline. That’s what the quote is getting at—the feeling that something essential is missing.

Historically speaking, there was a time when poetry and storytelling were deeply intertwined, but they had distinct purposes and techniques. Poetry focused on rhythm, meter, and the musicality of language. It aimed to evoke feelings, paint vivid imagery, and explore profound ideas in a concentrated form. Stories, on the other hand, were about characters, plots, and narratives. Over time, the lines between these forms have blurred, especially with the rise of free verse and prose poetry, leading to a kind of hybrid that sometimes doesn’t fully satisfy either tradition.

Let’s look at a real-life example. Think about a modern poem that tries to tell a story about a breakup. It starts with the couple sitting in a café, the conversation awkward, the emotions raw. It might end with one person walking away, a sense of loss hanging in the air. If it reads more like a condensed short story—focusing on the sequence of events rather than the emotive power of the language—it might leave you feeling like you’ve read a stunted narrative rather than a moving piece of poetry.

So, how can you apply this wisdom? If you’re writing poetry, focus on the unique strengths of the form. Embrace the musicality, the imagery, the conciseness that poetry allows. If you find yourself veering into narrative territory, ask yourself if you’re losing the poetic essence. Think of your poem as a snapshot of emotion or a burst of imagery rather than a mini-story.

Imagine you’re a poet sitting in your favorite coffee shop, notebook open. You’ve just witnessed a touching scene—a child giving a flower to their parent. Instead of describing the event in detail, capture the essence: “Petals of yellow sun / in tiny hands— / love’s simple gift.” You’re painting with words, not narrating a sequence.

In essence, the heart of poetry lies in its ability to evoke, not just tell. It's about distilling experiences and emotions into their purest, most potent form. So next time you write or read a poem, remember to appreciate and harness the power of its form, rather than trying to mold it into something it’s not meant to be. Think of poetry as the art of saying much with little—each word, each line, saturated with meaning and feeling.