Read the poem at least twice (preferably once aloud) before beginning any analysis of it.
Look at the poem’s title. What might this poem be about?
Look up any words you don’t know or aren’t quite sure of. Also, look up any words you suspect have a double meaning or connotations that might be important to the poem.
Who speaks in the poem? To whom does he or she speak? Why?
Look at the speaker’s word choice. Which words do you notice first? Why? Why does he or she use these words and not others? Are any words oddly used? Do any words have double meanings or extra connotations?
Look for repetitions, patterns, and parallel structure. How do you make sense of these structuring devices? Why does the poet emphasize what he or she does?
Look for contradictions and tensions. What is puzzling about the poem? What doesn’t make sense on a first reading? What’s weird and mysterious? Words like but or yet signal pivots in the poem.
Consider form and function. Now is a good time to look at some of the poet’s more critical choices. Did the poet use a specific form, such as the sonnet? How did this particular form---e.g., a sonnet---allow them to express their ideas? Did the poet use other specific poetic devices which you should learn so you can better understand the poem?
What mood does the passage create in you? Why? Are there colors, sounds, physical description that appeals to the senses?
What’s the rhythm like? Short and choppy? Long and flowing? How do you describe the style of the poem? Look at the punctuation. Is there anything unusual about it? How do punctuation and line breaks structure the sound of the verse?
Are there metaphors? What kinds? Is there one controlling metaphor? If not, how many different metaphors are there, and in what order do they occur? How might that be significant?
How might objects or experience represent something else?
What is left out or kept silent? What would you expect the poet to talk about that he or she avoided?
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