I very rarely concern myself with honesty, but instead focus on what's called "authenticity" in current theory. Where by "theory" I mean not critical theory by creative theory, as discussed by writers and poets. Does it feel authentic to human emotions, like the speaker is "real." Does it prove itself on the pulse, to mangle Keats's wording.

I've always liked the authenticity of the Nineteen Old Poems.

---L.