Do you ever imagine when reading a poem,
not the image that’s written in verse,
but the poet that’s writing these words.
The image of one from whom this poem has come?

Do you picture Athena or Zeus?
Do they have emphysema from smoking profuse,
or posses an air of sweetness and youth?
Are they calm and concise, or at there wits end?
Are they nasty or nice?
And did the poem they’re writing really mean to offend?

So next time your reading a poem or two,
especially one that’s left you completely at sea,
give some thought to the writer.
And if the meanings not clear,
imagine the poet is sitting right here
and ask them politely “my dear”.
“Are you feeling all right, are you smitten? '
'Do you have some kind of meaning in sight,
or did your brain miss the boat, when this poem was written? ”

David Taylor

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/poem-that-s-not-about-poems-at-all-but-might-help-you-feel-better/