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[tectak]

At this point, I'm a little annoyed. You posted this poem in the Serious Workshopping forum, yet you don't seem to take it seriously yourself -- even to the extent of offering it to me to do what I want with it. As a new forum member, I am trying to do the right thing by critiquing other people's poems; but frankly, that's a waste of time if other members post poems that they already consider to be throw-aways.

You have the temerity to criticize my critique by telling me that I made firm statements of fact which, by implication, I shouldn't have made (I don't think I did that), and then you offer me the bad advice that I shouldn't try too hard to "get" a poem that I'm critiquing.

The lesson I'm taking from this is that I should steer clear of your poems, and enigmatic poems in general. Life is too short.

First if all ,caleb, I do not intend entering into a discourse on how you feel about me, suffice to say that you interpret my comments incorrectly.
It is necessary to restate one of the most important protocols on this site....critique the poem not the poet. Second point...the Serious Workshopping forum is for seriously workshopping ANY poem, even those which of themselves are not serious. I posted this piece to hear the serious suggestions of the crits....if that should lead to a consensus that the piece is not worth salvaging...that a complete rewrite may be the only solution...then so be it. It is my poem and I can do as I wish with it and that includes offering it to you as you had such strong views on how it should be done. I am unoffendable in this instance.
As to your comment that I said you stated "facts" which by implication meant that you should not then your logic defeats me
Finally, the "advice" that I gave you regarding the search for meaning was good advice and sound.
Poetry is often obscure or enigmatic, your word, but that should not preclude a desire on the part of the poet to write well...and to that end, the critique is a great tool.Do not stop but be aware of the subtleties and nuances within ALL poetry....oh, and watch out for emoticons to avoid misinterpreting intent.
Best,
tectak