I am not a poet so take this for what it is worth (which is not much). I think you all have excellent points, but I do think that it is never wasted to take time to learn the rules or structure of something so that you are knowledgeable when you decide to break them. Studying the classics, and imitating classic forms, hurts no one and may strengthen your creative work. Nearly every great artist I've ever heard of studied his or her art before breaking out and creating something new. Just a thought.