Stories/Poems & Deeper Meanings?

Whenever you have an english class it always seems like you have to dissect poems or stories to analyze the true meaning behind each and every line, but was there REALLY a deeper meaning behind every word?  What if they were just writing a story?  I almost wonder did some artsy fartsy person just come and read something and blow it wayyy out of proportion.  It doesn't always have to be about this person has mother issues, some sort of sexual desire, etc...like couldn't have the artist just been making what they thought sounded like a really good story and these stories really aren't loaded with all this symbolism? Just a thought.