What makes a poem memorable?	Journal	What makes a poem forgettable?
Urgency. Clarity. Formal rigor (be it "free" or metered verse), language that expresses both a lively, curious mind and an empathetic heart.	Agni Erin Belieu	Pre-packaged ideas, language that takes the safest, "you have already been approved!" approach to its subjects. Cynicism.
A poem with content that touches us at a deep level; that uses language beautifully, movingly; that has images that are relevant, moving, striking, used in an original manner; clarity of thought; fresh perspective; original ideas.	Calyx Beverly McFarland	Poetry with no depth or beauty of language/image and without significant content; unoriginal imagery or subject matter; inappropriate subject matter (i.e., glorification of war).
Originality of subject and expression, and rhythm.	The Formalist William Baer	Triteness, antiquated language, excessive ego.
Sharp images, apt writing, strong rhythm.	The Gettysburg Review Peter Stitt	Dull thinking.
Sophistication and accessibility. I believe the best poems appeal to the widest audience. I especially value visceral poems with uncanny, accurate images. I appreciate well-crafted poems, too. I want urgent poems I can't forget. Poems so lyrical they leap off the page.	The Ledge Timothy Monaghan	Self-indulgence. Poetry is art, not therapy. If you can incorporate the two, that's a plus. Ultimately, though, sheer (or un-bridled) emotion isn't enough to carry a poem.
A distinctive voice, imagery that is tactile and accurate, music, craft, care. Language.	The Nation Grace Schulman	The absence of those qualities.
Those that have a stunning combination of musicality with unique or unexpected imagery on any topic.	The Northern Centinel Ellen Rachlin and Lucie Aidinoff	One that states the obvious in an obvious way.
A poem is most memorable when it surprises, when it creates poetry anew, when it truly "makes" rather than arrives as the "made over" work I generally see. This does not mean, however, that the poem is successful.	Quarterly West M.L. Williams	Sameness and safety - many of these are publishable, but merely so.
Striking imagery and unusual slants on ideas, expressed in lines exquisitely crafted to carry an individual voice.	Southern Poetry Review Ken McLaurin	Mundane imagery more than anything else.
A fresh take on abiding themes, technical command and finesse, an ear, an eye, poise of thought, depth of feeling.	The Yale Review J.D. McClatchy	The absence of the above - usually evident in the very first line.