Poetry is about social interactions

Poetry at times, just deals with the way people interact with others. They could be neighbours, friends or colleagues. Sometimes we may not be truthful and other people can see through the lies.We are at pains to protect our reputation. An example is the following poem:

Famine
The owner of the yam peels his yam in the house:
A neighbour knocks at the door.
The owner of the yam throws his yam in the bedroom:
The neighbour says, 'I just heard
A sound, kere kere, that's why I came.'
The owner of the yam replies,
'That was nothing, I was sharpening two knives.'
The neighbour says again, 'I still heard
Something like bi sound behind your door.'
The owner of the yam says,
'I merely tried my door with a mallet.'
The neighbour says again,
'What about this huge fire burning on your hearth?'
The fellow replies,
'I am merely warming water for my bath.'
The neighbour persists,
'Why is your skin white, when this is not the Harmattan season?'
This fellow is ready with his reply,
'I was rolling on the floor when I heard of the death of Agadapidi.'
Then the neighbour says, 'Peace be with you.'
Then the owner of the yam starts to shout,
'There cannot be peace
Unless the owner of the yam is allowed to eat his own food.'

Macmillan Education: Sunburst: Poems for Junior and Secondary Schools by Ian Gordon.

See? Isn't poetry then just how we behave with other people? The owner of the yam does not want to share a yam with his neighbour.The lies he gives are humorous and the neighbour just knows he is lying. Finally, the owner of the yam is embarassed  and confesses that he just wants to eat his yam in peace. Therefore, when you fear reading a poem, just remember it could be just about how people interact.