The Poetry of Stephen Crane

Stephen Crane - In the desert

In the desert
I saw a creature, naked, bestial,
Who, squatting upon the ground,
Held his heart in his hands,
And ate of it.
I said: "Is it good, friend?"
"It is bitter - bitter," he answered;
"But I like it
Because it is bitter,
And because it is my heart."

Stephen Crane's poetry is naturalistic and different from any we have read so far. It is also symbolic. Go here to find more of his poems. Some of my favorites are "I met a Seer," "'Think as I think,' said a man," and "A man said to the universe." Find a poem you like or dislike and reflect on it.