In "Crossing to Safety," Wallace Stegner emphasizes that poetry should serve as a mirror of the poet's experiences, encapsulating their interactions with others, including family and societal institutions. This reflection is crucial, as it allows the poet to convey their emotional landscape and personal history through their work.

Stegner suggests that the connections a poet forges with various groups profoundly influence their creativity. By exploring these relationships, poetry can offer insights into the complexities of life and the human experience, revealing how one's thoughts and feelings are shaped by the world around them.