If you’re a dedicated genre fiction reader, like me, poetry may seem scary and intimidating to read. Where’s the plot?  Who are the characters?  Shouldn’t this come with a map in the front or a glossary in the back?

Never fear, funny lady Katie Burgess is on your side, to help you get the most out of reading a poem.  Sample advice:

Read the title. It may tell you exactly what the poem is about, eliminating difficulty. For instance, “Ode on a Grecian Urn” is about an urn that is Grecian, so that takes care of that.

For a more serious guide to poetry appreciation, you might try DISCOVERY OF POETRY by Frances Mayes or HOW TO READ A POEM AND FALL IN LOVE WITH POETRY by Edward Hirsch.