what does this mean?

No definite idea given the utter lack of context.

By guessing, is it a criticism on a poem?

The person seems to at least one positive criticism (albeit a back~handed compliment) that the poem has a rhyming scheme and as mainstream understanding of poetry (rhyme schemes are one way to recognize a poem).

As for IT (the poem?) not following an expected path? Is the poem supposed to be written in a certain writing style of poetry (haiku, quatrain, sonnet, limerick, couplet, et...)? Perhaps this is a statement from a teacher using a passive~aggressive form of criticism. He/she is explaining that though the person's poem has a rhyming scheme, the student has failed to actually follow through with the homework assignment.

My guess is that the expected path of a rhyme would be something that is spelled in a similar way: cow, how, now; way, play, day.

The unexpected path might be words that are not spelled the same at all: through, queue, blew, shampoo.

Just a guess.

Check out the poster's other topic.