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It was also the first time I can remember reading the 'Captain' poem.  My emotional response to it was all about the death and father description.  Probably because my father died last May.  My mind was racing on to metaphors for disease and illness.  So when we were told that the poem was about Lincoln, it was like a slap in the face to me. 

For a moment at least.  Then I began trying to reconcile my reaction to the poem to others reaction to the poem.  It turned into some sort of synthesis about social ills and the challenges faced by politicians.  Not necessarily coherent...  

I think it did help me to hear other's, including the author's, interpretation of the poem.  It broadened my perspective and the concepts I was entertaining in my mind.  So maybe for me, it was useful, which is not to imply anything about the correctness of my own interpretations.