An experienced reader uses the poem as an agent of inquiry. This makes poetry very exciting, unstable, and interactive. – John Barton
If poetry alters the way in which the reader views the world, then it has had its desired effect. – John Barton
Sometimes poetry is inspired by the conversation entered into by reading other poems. – John Barton
Writing can sometimes be exploitative. I like to take a few steps of remove in order to respect the privacy of the subject. If readers make the link, they have engaged with the poem. – John Barton