What makes a poem good?

Actually, I think both are necessary. Poets learn very little to nothing from comments if they don't have context. This time is just as important as time spent with each other's poetry. In fact, reading draft-poetry and the type of poems posted on this site and many others isn't really a supplement for reading published, vetted poetry.

I didn't mean to imply that we don't need to read 'vetted' poetry by an stretch of the mind. Quite the contrary as far as I am concerned. I have read several books of poetry this semester and for this moment in time, my favorite modern day writer has got to be hands down, Sharon Olds. She hits on nerves of mine with a clarity that gets right to the point. She writes her own life in a cathartic process that I can feel come alive in my hands. I have also learned that listening to and reading other writers input on your own work gives you (the writer) an insight that you may not have had before. I believe that constuctive critiquing is a necessary tool for furthering ones own work and that of others in the same process. Which ultimately brings me back to your own words Stephan...a poem (in your view) is not successful unless the meaning that you intended is comprehended by the reader. How else will you know if it is understood unless someone(preferably more than one) gives you feedback and lets you know what they saw and what they think might make your point clearer?