"The poet exposes himself to the risk. All that has been said about poetry, all that he has learned about poetry, is only a partial assurance"

In this quote by A. R. Ammons, the poet highlights the fundamental vulnerability and unpredictability involved in the act of writing poetry. The expression "The poet exposes himself to the danger" suggests that creating poetry involves a personal endeavor into the unidentified. In spite of the conventions, methods, and forms that structure poetry, the act of composing still demands individual exposure and the willingness to confront internal and external challenges.

When Ammons states, "All that has been stated about poetry, all that he has actually discovered poetry, is just a partial guarantee", he highlights the concept that, while poets can study and gain from different poetic traditions and analyses, these can just supply limited assistance. Poetry is not a formulaic craft that can be entirely mastered through study alone. It demands a deeper, more instinctive engagement, needing poets to step beyond what is already known or accepted. Each poem is a new exploration, pushing borders and navigating uncharted psychological or intellectual surfaces.

Moreover, this quote reflects the concept that poetry is a vibrant and progressing kind, contingent on the poet's personal experience and understanding. Despite the knowledge obtained from past poets and critics, each poet needs to battle with their special voice, obstacles, and inspirations. Therefore, the threat included is both imaginative and personal, as poets put parts of themselves into their work, thereby opening up to judgment, misinterpretation, or failure.

Eventually, Ammons' words celebrate poetry as an act of guts. They advise us that the real essence of poetry depends on the willingness to accept its unpredictabilities and flaws. This determination, in turn, is what makes poetry a powerful and transformative practice, efficient in catching the intricacy and depth of human experience.