Teenagers are often times emotional time bombs.
"I hate you mom!" and "I hate you dad!" are just a couple of the common daily emotional sayings teens spout out.
They don't really mean what they say, they just don't know how to express themselves in a more constructive way.
Teaching poetry to teens is a great way for them to learn how to express themselves while not hurting themselves or others.
It gives them an emotional out.
Luckily, poetry is also not seen as "girlie" as keeping a diary (not that diaries are feminine, that is just the common stereotype), so teenage males are more open to the idea.
Alright, so now you want to know how to get through to your teen?

1. Don't force the issue.
   There's nothing I hated more as a teen than having to read something because someone told me to.
   
2. Teach them that song lyrics are really poetry.
   
3. Show them some of your favorite poems.
   Bring it up casually.
   Again, don't force it.
   
4. Introduce them to great modern and contemporary poets.
   Maya Angelou, Robert Frost, and Langston Hughes are great places to start.
   
5. Show them it's OK to write poetry.
   If they start to write song lyrics, rap, or just poetry, be supportive of their work and leave your criticism behind no matter what you really think.
   

Hopefully they will take what they learn and start writing for themselves.
It's a far better way to express themselves than what people are calling "cutting" and yelling at you for small decisions you make.
Just remember, be supportive, don't force the issue, and leave the criticism out.