How Should Poets Explain Their Poetry?

How should poets explain their poetry?

The above question came into sharp focus for me yesterday evening. I was out in a pub with my friend Brian when we fell into conversation with a couple. During our chat, the subject of poetry came up and I passed a copy of my book “Leaving and Other Poems” to the gentleman and his girlfriend.

Having leafed through Leaving, the gentleman asked me the meaning of my poem “Circular”:

“A circular seat
Encompassing a tree.
Age will defeat
Thee and me”.

In re...