how do you dissect or study a poem

[Leanne]

It's definitely a skill that has to be practised, billy. First, I read a poem at least twice, more often five or six times to get the feel of the whole thing. Then it's at least another two close readings (for most poems, although some are pretty simple and don't really require that much interpretation). I look for specific word choices, how the language interacts to build meaning, how clear that meaning is to me and whether it needs a bit of a key from the writer so that it can be unlocked -- this is the case with a lot of very personal poems, the meaning is obvious to the writer but there are no hints for anyone else, it's more of an inside joke situation.

Every choice in a poem should be deliberate. You have so few words to play with, such a little time to make an impact, that the tiniest things make a difference. Sometimes a poem's effect can hinge on something as small as a line break.

There are obviously preferences and things that I bring to a reading, but I try to be as objective as possible. That way, even if I don't particularly like a poem, I can still read and critique it.