"I can't tell you where a poem comes from, what it is, or what it is for: nor can any other man. The reason I can't tell you is that the purpose of a poem is to go past telling, to be recognised by burning"

A. R. Ammons' quote delves into the inexpressible nature of poetry, suggesting that poetry transcends analytical understanding and exists beyond conventional forms of explanation. He starts this assertion by mentioning his failure, and by extension anyone's failure, to definitively describe the origins, essence, or purpose of a poem. This sets the stage for a deeper reflection on the very nature of artistic expression, particularly poetic.

Ammons insinuates that poetry is not something that can be completely caught through mere words or straightforward definitions. Unlike other kinds of expression that might have clear objectives or origins, poetry purposefully resides in an abstract realm. This ambiguity is what grants poetry its power and attraction. The idea that poetry is suggested to "go past informing" suggests that poems are not just vessels for conveying details or feelings in an actual sense. Instead, they exist to evoke, provoke, and prompt acknowledgment and understanding in manner ins which are visceral and typically subconscious.

The expression "to be recognised by burning" is especially evocative. "Burning" implies an intensity of feeling, an enthusiasm or fervor that transcends reasoning and reason. It highlights the transformative power of poetry-- its ability to ignite something deep within us, leading to a recognition or an insight that can not be fully articulated in words. This extreme acknowledgment is nearly essential, similar to the method fire essentially alters and consumes what it touches.

In essence, Ammons is commemorating the strange and transformative power of poetry. He acknowledges that its true worth lies not in its capability to communicate concrete ideas or stories, however in its capability to stir something profound within us, resulting in personal insights that defy language and conventional understanding. This view champions poetry as a distinctively effective art kind that relies on its strange nature to achieve its deepest effect.