Poetry is

In what sense and how far is the genius master of his madness? For it goes without saying that to a certain degree he is master of it, since otherwise he would be actually a madman. For such observations, however, ingenuity in a high degree is requisite, and love; for to make observation upon a superior mind is very difficult. --Kierkegaard, Fear and Trembling Madness in great ones must not unwatch'd go. --Shakespeare, Hamlet Poetry …

…choose to live the "theory of life" or live life itself? The latter choice seems reasonable. Therefore, I conclude that although critics of poetry write real pretty, I explore their words with reason and uncover madness. Poetry is...poetry and nothing else. Works Cited Aristotle. Poetics. Emerson, Ralph Waldo. The Poet. Introduction to Poetics Course Kit. Longinus. On The Sublime. Introduction to Poetics Course Kit. Plato. The Republic and Ion. Introduction to Poetics Course Kit.