An appreciation of non-metric or unrhymed verse isn't being contrary. It's, er, liking poetry. In all its forms.

While Andrew Motion's comment does perpetuate common stereotype about trad arts, I actually find myself agreeing with him in one way: both poetry and morris dancing are marginalised practices that tend to get sneered at or dismissed out of hand.

I like poetry. I like folk music. I like jazz. I like free improvisation. I think they have plenty in common.