Read the poem once through to get an overall impression of the tone, subject and overall pattern of the poem. Watch for strong themes and repeated sounds, words or images that may help you understand the point of the poem.
Re-read the poem with an awareness of its overall arc, subject matter and tone to discern the purpose or message of the poem. Some poetry seeks to evoke strong feelings, some seeks to convince you of a point of view and some portrays one or more striking images in vivid detail. Finding the focus can help you make sense of the language and symbolism the poet chose.
Mark repeated words, sounds and images. Repetition is often a signal that the repeated element is significant in some way. Think about the symbolic and emotional associations that the repeated elements bring to your mind and how those elements have been used in earlier literature.
Examine metaphors and the connotations of words. Analyze patterns of rhythm and rhyme for exceptions, which may mark important moments, and note the effect they have on the emotional tone of the poem. For example, irregular rhythm may connote a chaotic mood, while regular rhythm may create a real or ironic sense of calm.
Divide the poem into parts and examine what kind of progression, pattern or story occurs as you read from beginning to end. Some poems tell a story, others relate a series of parallel or contrasting images, and others come full circle as the end imbues the beginning with new meaning.
Summarize the point or sections of the poem if you want to further clarify your understanding of the poem. Make a list of key words and images along with their symbolic or emotional meanings. As time allows, keep re-reading the poem in light of your new understanding of the symbolism and purpose to see what new relationships and emotional associations arise.