Russian–born US poet, critic (b. 1940) Joseph Brodsky in, Writers at Work: For the poet the credo or doctrine is not the point of arrival but is, on the contrary, the point of departure for the metaphysical journey. U S poet, critic (b. 1804) EAP, Preface to The Raven and Other Poems: With me poetry has not been a purpose but a passion; and the passions should be held in reverence; they must not… be excited, with an eye to the paltry… commendations, of mankind. I write, I have no choice.