Modern poetry in modern America

This post poetry-you-know-and-poetry-you-don't over at neo-neocon has got me thinking about modern poetry. She challenges readers to "recall a single line from a poem written in the last fifty years that has become commonly known".

Easy, I thought, as I dredged up various phrases from Carl Sandburg and Robert Frost, lines from many poems that I remembered but unfortunately were all written before 1955.

So then I thought of Rod Mckuen , not exactly a critics' darling and probably a better respected songwriter than poet but definitely well known to some (since over 45 million copies of his poetry books are in print). Even though I have never been a big fan and cannot recall a single poem of his, he is credited for the slogan Make Love Not War. But as "commonly known" as that has become, it doesn't qualify as a line from a poem.

I believe I know a lot of beautiful, provoking, amusing and inspiring modern poetry. However I cannot attest to any of them being "commonly known".
Just what does that mean any way?

Scholars and critics have always had a disdain for huge success'. Too much (and too sudden) popularity has been regarded as lowly, too common in it's appeal and somehow unworthy in elevated circles. According to many critics, the writer, poet, artist, (whomever) "sells out" when they attain commercial success, as if that is always the result of greed, corruption or the very least personal weakness.

David, a commenter at neo-neocon writes that the absence of memorable poetry (in the last 50 years) may be the result of an elitist "distribution channel", which I liken to the old game of "experts" telling everyone what they should or should not value and making available only what they regard as good. Although learning more about something may heighten my appreciation for it, I have never liked something because I was told I should.

Another commenter, HG Wells acknowledges "the lavish attractions of TV, film, popular song and the internet..." and Alex consults a friend who studied modern poetry in college and presently teaches high school. He says simply "People don't read poetry anymore". Yet another writer John Moulder says "A lot of things stopped in the 60's - art, resolve, confidence, faith innocence..."

Poetry has changed (as has American culture).
Most of what has been made available has been annointed by academia ( elitist by definition).
Many people do not read poetry.
It has a relatively quiet voice.

But this is only part of the story. Poetry has to be heard. When is the last time you heard it? Do we hear it on TV, the radio, cd's, streaming audio? Even though I have attended many poetry readings, I have yet to read one review . Have you?
As a result, most people get their "poetry" from music and movies. Afterall, that is what we hear.