What makes a poem good?

"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?"

Well stated Rene. Too bad you're not running for some office or other, because you'd definitely have my vote. This site has some awesome writers, and I like the idea of a publication. Both make this site special. But some poets have responded to my critiques with personal messages expressing thanks followed by regret that more commenting on their poems does not occur. We learn from getting critiques, and then we learn a lot more by giving critiques. It's part of the process of development, even if the writer thinks his/her critiquers can go take a leap. I think we should all make a goal of critiquing at least one piece a day on this site.

Alcuin