<p>Explaining a proof and analyzing a poem may not be all that dissimilar. Jacob Bronowski argued in his many works that they involved the same behaviors. (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Bronowski%5B/url%5D">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Bronowski</a>)</p>
<p>This is most clearly articulated in his great little book "Science & Human Values" written in the early 1950's (though republished with subsequent later publication dates). Bronowski, who I believe worked on the Manhattan Project, was both a mathematician and a poet. This book was (is) on my kids required reading list so that they can gain an understanding that there is little difference in doing science or doing arts, the same creative process operates for both even if the content basis is different. IMHO (I have never used that before, I hope it means what I think it does) schools that foster such an understanding either by Core or example or both will not be frauds.</p>