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"I'm not fond of rhymed poetry unless it's tremendously effective and suited to the content"

So then you will be satisfied with non-rhyming poetry that is not especially effective? Interesting. Discriminating and non-discriminating at the same time.

Har! A clever twisting of my words, but Lo I am not so easily pegged as that!

On the whole, I don't care for rhymed meter. It's an distraction from the start. When it's effectively suited to the content, or done exceedingly well, then it's an exception to my own rule.

Non-rhyming poetry that is well-metered is a personal preference. Of course if the poem itself is a simpering pile of doggerel, then that's another post entirely.

Quality precluding form, in every event.

"On the whole, I don't care for rhymed meter. It's an distraction from the start"

That's a shame.

Did you develop this dislike as an adult or were you able to enjoy rhymes as a child?

How about songs? Do you find songs to be less distracting than intended because of the inherent distraction (to you) of their form?

I'm looking around and paradoxically hope to find my poor defense of rhyming poetry presented as rhyming poetry.

Obviously each has their own preference - but in the end, it's how the work stands on its own that matters most.

Nursery rhymes are wonderful and a good example of something that lends itself well to rhyming. Songs are a completely different animal but somewhere else where rhyme has a place - greeting cards also come to mind. I note that none of these necessarily make exceptional poems.

In any event, movements of poetry depend greatly on inspired change so who knows? Someone may come along and reinvent rhyme in such a way that makes it exciting and inspirational, even to me.

Perhaps that will be you.