"I like poems you can tack all over with a hammer and there are no hollow places"

John Ashbery's quote speaks with the idea of a poem being solid and total. He is suggesting that a poem must be something that is strong and unyielding, something that can stand up to the test of time. He is likewise recommending that a poem should be something that is not easily broken down or deconstructed, something that has no hollow places. This could be analyzed as a metaphor for the idea that a poem ought to be something that is well-crafted and meaningful, something that is not easily forgotten or dismissed. Ashbery is recommending that a poem needs to be something that is strong and enduring, something that can be valued and kept in mind for several years to come. He is emphasizing the value of developing a poem that is strong and complete, something that can be valued and admired for its charm and strength.