We Real Cool

For a poem of only few short lines, Brooks fills it with heavy meaning and possibilities as only a poet can. The seven we's could be meant to be for each of the seven pool players. The "Thin gin" could mean drinking a lot, ice with gin, or watered down from the bar. "Strike straight" could mean smoking, pool, or punching someone. Regardless of what the meaning behind each specific thing "we" do, it is very obvious these pool players live staying up late, leaving school, living fast and high only to die young. In the first line the "Golden Shovel" could be a place or could be describing the way they are choosing to dig their own graves with the way they live, by their own way of "staying gold" like The Outsiders. It's very negatively Carpe Diem...or is it?