Rewriting, or paraphrasing, is a useful exercise when considering the meaning and the structure of a poem. First, sometimes when we put a poem into our own words in prose we gain a clearer and deeper understanding of the poem itself. This is always a benefit to you, the reader, and to the poet as s/he then has a greater and more appreciative audience. (Don't rewrite into poetry--that would be a different exercise altogether and might effectively come after you've rewritten, or paraphrased, the original poem.)
Second, the structure of poetry is so condensed because the words, phrases and thoughts are so precise. You will sometimes be amazed that three or four words of poetry require full prose sentences in an attempt to convey the same meaning. This proves rewriting (paraphrasing) to be a valuable exercise because you experience the power of precision wording for yourself, which gives you greater skill at mastering your language and its vocabulary.
A possible rewrite (paraphrase) of "Harlem" might be:
What happens to a dream that is delayed in coming true?
Does it dry up and wither like a grape in summer's heat?
Or does it become infected like a neglected sore?
Does it begin to carry a stench the way rotten meat does?
Or does it turn to sugary crust like fudge candy left out to turn to sugar?
Maybe a dream without fulfillment just sags from it's own weight like a heavy load.
Or does it simply explode from pent up despair?
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