Final answer:
Grendel suggests that poetry is a meaningless pursuit, which contrasts modern perspectives of poetry as a profound form of self-expression and engagement with audiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Grendel, the truth about poetry is that it is a meaningless pursuit. This perspective may contradict contemporary understandings and uses of poetry. While today, poetry is often seen as a form of self-expression, a tool to preserve mental experiences like a "pensieve", and a method for engaging audiences through evocative senses and images, Grendel's view reflects a cynical stance. It highlights the idea that regardless of its emotional and intellectual impact, and its role in various cultures and historical contexts, poetry, from his viewpoint, lacks substantive or practical value.