In "EPICAC," what is the significance of the poetry?

In this science fiction short story, EPICAC is a super computer
that begins to exhibit human qualities; at first an "it," the computer becomes "he," as the
narrator begins to interact personally with EPICAC. As their friendship develops, EPICAC writes
beautiful love poems for the narrator to use in winning the affection of Pat, the object of his
desire. Along the way, EPICAC himself falls hopelessly in love with Pat and commits suicide by
burning out his circuits in creating 500 anniversary love poems for Pat and the
narrator.

The poetry in the short story is significant in several
ways. First of all, it drives the plot. It is EPICAC's poems that bring the narrator and Pat
together, something the narrator, a mathematician who lacked a romantic soul, could not
accomplish on his own. Also, it is through the poetry that EPICAC is personified in the story,
his personality and humanity developed and revealed. Furthermore, EPICAC's poetry creates
situational irony in the story; how ironic that a computer, a machine, could express human
emotion more deeply and more tenderly than the narrator, a human
being.

Finally, this irony develops an important theme in the story,
suggesting that advanced scientific knowledge and expertise do not represent the highest
achievement in human development. EPICAC is created by man to make war, an example of science
applied in the pursuit of power. In choosing to use his intelligence and his heart to promote
love, and even to die for it, EPICAC represents the best part of humanity; he is far more
admirable than those who created him.