6 Stephen Crane Poems

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I saw a man pursuing the horizon

‘I saw a man pursuing the horizon’ by Stephen Crane is a short but incredibly moving poem about chasing impossibilities with multiple interpretations.

This poem by Stephen Crane is indicative of a crucial element of the poet's style. As they often appear to adopt and resemble the narrative voice of a parable. This short two-stanza poem says just as much through what it withholds as it does with what is plainly stated, making it open to a variety of interpretations.

I saw a man pursuing the horizon;

Round and round they sped.

I was disturbed at this;

I accosted the man.

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War is Kind

‘War is Kind’ ironically juxtaposes war’s cruelty with a refrain of kindness, using sparse rhyme and repetition for stark effect.

Stephen Crane is better known for his fiction, but his poem ‘War is Kind’ shows how strong his voice is in poetry, too. ‘War is Kind’ is a bold and unusual poem that uses irony to talk about the pain caused by war. It may not be his most popular work, but it stands out for how direct and powerful it is. The poem still gets noticed today for how it questions common ideas about war.

Mother whose heart hung humble as a button

On the bright splendid shroud of your son,

Do not weep.

War is kind.

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In Heaven

‘In Heaven’ by Stephen Crane offers a parable-like anecdote that contrasts humility with self-righteous pride. It also challenges religion and those the poet’s speaker deemed hypocritical.

Stephen Crane might not have been well known for his poetry collections, but this poem reveals the exact appeal his lines of verse have. The diction is simple, and its use of imagery/symbolism makes it an original parable.

In Heaven,

Some little blades of grass

Stood before God.

“What did you do?”

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Fast Rode the Knight

“Fast Rode the Knight” by Stephen Crane is a story of a zealous “knight” rushing into battle in order to rescue his “lady”.

Fast rode the knight

With spurs, hot and reeking,

Ever waving an eager sword,

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In the Desert

‘In the Desert’ by Stephen Crane is a popular short poem that presents readers with a strange scenario. The poem speaks on human nature through a disturbing image of self-destruction.

In the desert

I saw a creature, naked, bestial,

Who, squatting upon the ground,

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Three Little Birds in a Row

‘Three Little Birds in a Row’ by Stephen Crane is a short poem exploring human behavior, using birds to symbolize people’s tendency to judge and ridicule others.