You can also try reading the poem once, putting it aside for a day, and then returning to it for a second or third read. This can give you time to think about the poem in more detail.
For example, you may simply like them or feel you can relate to them. Or you may find the lines interesting because they are strange and unexpected.
For example, you may close your eyes and picture an image of a ship on a harbor as it is described in the poem.
For example, you may highlight words like “bandaged,” “fright,” and “goblin” in a poem because they stand out to you.
You may need to look up a few examples of different poetic forms to help you identify which one the poem uses. Most modern poems use free-verse, while older poems tend to use more formal structures like the sonnet, haiku, or limerick.
For example, you may consider questions like, “Does the poem sound smooth and light when read aloud?” “Does it have a choppy or short rhythm?” “Is the poem easy to read aloud or do you have to pause between each line?”
You can also look at rhyme in the poem to find deeper meaning. Notice if the poem follows a rhyme scheme, where the ends of certain lines rhyme with each other. Think about how the rhymes give the poem structure.
Personification is when an inanimate object is given human qualities, such as a tree, a ball, or a computer. It is often used in poems about nature and technology to add deeper meaning to the subject.
For example, you may sum up a poem as a meditation on death and life or a poem as a story about friendship between a boy and his dog.
Try looking for a recording of the poem here: https://www. poetryarchive. org/ or here: https://www. nysoclib. org/collection/poets-reading-poetry.
You may make it a habit to go to live poetry readings regularly so you are exposed to different poets and their reading styles.
For example, you may ask questions like, “What do you think of this poem?” or “Do you like the poem? Why or why not?”
You can also ask other members of the group to bring in poems they find interesting or engaging to share.
You can also subscribe to newsletters from poetry magazines and publications so you can discover new poets or poems that you may not have found on your own.
