Ruminate
Ruminate: (verb): to go over in the mind slowly and repeatedly; to think deeply about something. Also, to chew for extended periods of time.
The curiosity continues. Start to think about some potential answers to your questions. Just think about what you’ve noticed and asked. Always go back and reread parts or all of a text. Consider in more depth things like implication, connotation, imagery, figurative language, symbolism, diction, repetitions, any techniques the author uses to enhance meaning in the text. Push back against your initial reactions, address your confusions, try to answer your questions, wrestle with your assumptions and opinions on the text.
If there are ambiguities in the poem, what could be the purpose of the multiple possibilities of interpretation?
Ruminating can look like:
Thinking deeply and calmly.
Reading and rereading the poem slowly.
Writing the definitions of words you didn't know.
Considering possible answers to your questions.
Looking up dates, names, events, allusions, etc.
Considering a question from multiple perspectives or possible interpretations.
Jotting down possible reasons the poet might have had for their choices (see the things you Noticed earlier).
Consider possible symbolism within the imagery (universal, cultural, personal)
Making note of the overall TONE in the poem, and shifts in TONE within the poem. Tone is not only an essential element of understanding your poem, but also in rehearsing for your recitation.
You do not at this point need to draw any conclusions or make any judgements.