Who Are You?

[Mark A Becker]

... what would happen if I stopped trying to explain and learned to trust my reader. I found this advice compelling; however it might be one of those magical, milo tricks that only he can get away with.

Well Lizzie-
milo gave good advice. Any 'explaining' should take place within the poem, while leaving it open to multiple readers' multiple interpretations. 

I personally try not to expect a reader to do research in order to grasp the subject. The Alice aspect of your poem would have required me to revisit that story for 'clues', and frankly, I'm too damn lazy to do that.

I've read many poems that reference subjects (esp mythologoies) that I am also too lazy to try to parse. What some consider common literary, or historical, knowledge usually leaves me feeling like a dumb ass- not part of the "in-the-know-club".

That said, I've read many poem here that have caused me to research after reading the poem, because those poems made me really curious. And I love when that happens.

I will scrap a poem that doesn't get traction with readers, since it becomes very tedious to convey whatever the hell was going through my head to begin with, without having to start over again. So, I definitely do get it. 

I really like the constructive criticism on this site, because I trust and appreciate the readers and writers here. And that includes you.

Hope that all made sense,
-Mark