Two Different Responses

Sometimes the question to ask is how instead of what. Poets know that it is senseless to ask what a poem means, ask instead how it means. Look at the language, both literal and figurative, respond to the music, the cadence of the poem— and visualize the images, the metaphors.

The dictionary defines how: In what manner or way.

The dictionary defines what: Asking for information

So often I ask what does this mean when I should be asking how does this mean. Whether I ask the question one way or another the answer will be quite revealing.

I ask myself what I believe and then I ask how that belief affects my life. Two different responses.