Final answer:
Wallace Stevens's poetry is best characterized as philosophical and complex, as it intertwines the ordinary with imaginative exploration. His work reflects his unique perspective on combining daily life with rich, abstract thought in poetry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The poetry of Wallace Stevens can be characterized by several qualities, but most predominantly, it is known for its philosophical nature, as well as its complex and sophisticated use of language and structure. Stevens's poetry, rather than being merely complex or comical, encapsulates a blend of the philosophical and the everyday. His approach to poetry, as reflected in works like "The Emperor of Ice-Cream" and "Of Modern Poetry", demonstrates a dedication to the ordinary and the use of common language that is accessible to readers, while also engaging deeply with the realm of the imagination and the abstract.
Stevens's work is often seen as an intersection between the world of commerce and industry and that of the poetic mind. This blend is unique to Stevens's American upbringing, and it speaks to his talent for incorporating the mundane into the richness of poetic expression. Moreover, Stevens does not back away from subjects associated with day-to-day reality, which was common in early 20th-century poetry that celebrated industrialism and everyday life in contrast to romanticism. Instead, he explores the fascinating interplay between the real world and the imaginative powers of the mind within his poetry. His ability to unite the real with the imaginary, and his insistence on poetry being a living and active craft, make his body of work deeply philosophical.