I definitely think that's a decision the writer needs to make when writing a poem. I find that, instinctively, some poems feel like they need to be more straightforward and immediately understandable than others. You want to paint a vivid scene or scenario for the reader. With other poems, it's the ambiguity and puzzle-like nature that make them interesting.

The issue that I most often find myself wrestling with is 'will the reader assume this is autobiography?' and 'if so, how do I feel about that?'... Which sometimes leads me to providing some extra context when sharing.

Great question!

I enjoy reading explanations written by a poet since they can enrich my understanding of the poem. But a poem without an explanation is fine of course. I appreciate poems that make sense but that also have a sense of multiple meanings, depending on how the words are interpreted by the reader. Sometimes if a poem is super complex or uses vague language not easily understood, my brain gets tired and I move on. But I might return to the poem later to try to figure it out!

I was actually just thinking about this! While I enjoy some exposition on occasion, I think that I actually prefer for poems to be left for me to interpret through my own point of view. I feel that every reader sees art and the world in a unique context that connects them to the piece in different ways. It's exciting to hear how someone's collective experience may change their final takeaway.

On the other hand, hearing the artist's intent can be really intriguing as well!