“Much contemporary verse reads like failed short-short stories rather than failed poetry.”

Simplified Meaning:

Some modern poems sound more like short stories that didn't quite work out rather than actual poetry. Imagine reading a short story that doesn't fully capture your interest or doesn't end in a satisfying way. Now, think about a poem that also feels incomplete or unsatisfying, but not because it's a bad poem—it's because it tries too hard to be a story instead of focusing on the beautiful, expressive nature of poetry. Good poems should focus on emotions, images, and rhythms, not just telling a story. For example, if you read a poem that spends too much time describing events in detail, you might feel like it doesn't have the usual spark or emotional depth of a good poem. Instead, it feels like a chopped-up story. To better appreciate poetry, try writing or reading poems that evoke strong feelings or pictures in your mind without just sticking to a narrative. It's about capturing a moment or a feeling clearly and powerfully, rather than detailing a sequence of events. So, if you're writing poetry, focus on the essence and emotion rather than trying to fit too much story into a small space.