We Real Cool

The main characters in "We Real Cool" are the seven pool players, one of whom is the speaker.
The poem tells of some youngsters who dropped out of school. Now they lead lives with shallow objectives. They play pool, drink Gin, listen to Jazz and die. They live sinfully.
I think this poem is intended to be thought provoking. She wants the reader to imagine the realities of that lifestyle. I think these youngsters have adults in their lives who are disappointed. They probably struggle with hangovers and poor health, and they probably are growing concerned about their future.
I think this is a nice poem. I like the rhyming. I think it is a statement of concern. I think Brooks is saying that these youths have been seduced by a lifestyle that seems appealing to people at that age, but once they grow a bit they will see how dead it is. They are sacrificing their youth, health and reputation for nothing.
I think this poem is sad. The author seems to be using sarcasm when she defines these choices as cool. I think she is an adult who is disappointed at the behavior of some youngsters she sees. The whole poem seems sad to me.
This is a poem about young people and I am not young. If I was in a group of kids who left school, drank and played pool, I would probably leave those friends. I really don't like any of those activities.