If trying to get to the meaning of symbols and so forth in a poem helps you to better critique it, then discussions like this are on topic. Moderators don't have any desire to appear arbitrary. The difference is, perhaps, in the tone of such discussions -- for example, nobody here has said "this poem has no meaning" or anything to that effect.
There is a thread in Poetry Discussion, however, that I will resurrect to further discuss the clarity/meaning issues. Meanwhile, I'm grateful for all the comments here and will reply as soon as I'm back from holiday, which will be next weekend. Enjoy 2012!
There is a thread in Poetry Discussion, however, that I will resurrect to further discuss the clarity/meaning issues. Meanwhile, I'm grateful for all the comments here and will reply as soon as I'm back from holiday, which will be next weekend. Enjoy 2012!
It could be worse