It seems there are two ways (at least) that poetry can be read. The first way is to read it at a regular pace and appreciate it for the initial impression it gives you and not putting too much thought and/or analysis of form, structure, etc. into it and the second is to dissect the poem for every possible source of meaning which requires you to look at metric, form, diction, etc.

I tend to read poetry the first way, myself. This might be because I'm a pretty lazy reader, myself, and it also has to do with the fact that I like reading a poem and taking a small image from it rather than tearing it down piece by piece. Of course, there have been pieces I have broken down (mainly for a class I took once) and I find that it adds a whole new level of appreciation to a poem.

You?

I tend to read poetry at a slow but casual pace. If I really enjoy a line, I'll hang on it and think about it for a while.

Honestly, though, the over-analysis of poetry they subject you to in high school is ridiculous. At least, in my experience. Shit got entirely too literal, and some of the interpretations made me want to end myself.

What i do is read threw it about 3 time each time with a different mind set on the poem to try and read it the way the author wants it read

I use my eyes, and my understanding of the english language.

First way for me

or a third way, with a thick bass line, breath control, and heavy delivery.

I usually write poetry, not read it O.O

i hated poetry in school but now i really like it since you dont have the pressure of having to totally analyze it.

I dont usually read poetry...

Analyzing a literary work feels too much like a math problem to me. I've never been partial to instructors insisting on finding meaning in every last word printed on a piece of paper. Just because the author mentions a tree in a poem, it doesn't mean that the universe revolves around it.