Growing Understanding of Poetry

In response to what we discussed today in class, I would just like to riff a little bit about how I've come to understand this art form a little better. Koch's writings about the poetry language have definitely increased my ability to read a poem correctly. Growing up in the information age and reading a lot of prose my eyes tend to just want to blaze down the page, instead of taking all of the language in. In years past I've read a handful of collections and tried to write my own poetry, but I always felt like I lacked a fundamental understanding of what I was attempting to do. Now after being exposed to an eclectic assortment of poets I feel like I can comprehend a poem and appreciate it to marginally greater degree. Though I wish there were more examples of modern poets in the texts, just so I could get a sampling of our current era as well. I still need some work though. I've been often finding it kind of difficult to find a tranquil place for actually sitting down and reading poetry (for the only time I have any free time is in the evening where I can't sit outside and read). As you all know dormitories and the 24 hour room aren't ideal places for contemplation and appreciation of artwork. Although I find writing much easier and therapeutic. I can just blare ambient music or jazz and jam on the pen and pad. When reading poems the music distracts me too much.