What makes a poem good?

I figure if you want to be absolutely sure that everyone sees what you want them to see, you don't use metaphor.

I disagree. completely. Just because something is a metaphor doesn't mean it isn't clear and understandable. If my point and idea is indiscernible then I have failed in the primary mission of writing.

I consider any writing of mine that no one 'gets' to be a failure. Even if they love it. Even if everyone agrees it's 'brilliant.' Even if Leanne and Fred give me a page each on why it's a wonderful poem.

If my meaning didn't come across, it is still just a beautiful failure.

Which of course suggests it wasn't worth doing, or it is trash. That isn't what I'm saying at all. I'd say most of what I write are failures. However, they're not complete failures. They just fail in one or another aspect of great writing. Perhaps in other aspects they're raging successes. It totally depends.  

• stephan