Well, I guess you won't be terribly fussed about me then, I write poetry as well as some short stories. But hey, there's hope because I also write non fiction. For reading, I actually prefer non fiction. It may sound odd coming from me, but I actually agree with much of what you're saying. I have a very difficult time reading short stories because some of them are just, well, frankly, very poorly written and boring. That being said, an exceptionally good short story, one that captures the imagination and stirs your emotions is a pleasure to read. I've read about 4 of those in my 50 years of life. As for poetry, it's pretty much the same thing. If I see a poem that looks like the author tried too hard to look clever by using "fancy words" or that almost hurts my head to read because they've twisted whatever it is they're trying to say into a desired rhyming scheme, I'm out! In short, no matter what it is, if you can't make me feel, laugh, think or teach me something, I'm not reading it.