Stephen Crane

Once there was a man --
Stephen Crane - Once there was a man

Oh, so wise!
In all drink
He detected the bitter,
And in all touch
He found the sting.
At last he cried thus:
"There is nothing --
No life,
No joy,
No pain --
There is nothing save opinion,
And opinion be damned."


I disliked this poem by Crane very much. I am more of an optimist when it comes to life. I reread this poem over a few times, and I feel Crane is not too positive about life. He thinks life is nothing. Actually he doesn't even think their is life. I think there is life. Life is full of joy, but it is also full of hardships. I feel Crane just looks at the negatives in life. He does not look for the silver lining. I guess sometimes life can be really hard for some people that they think it is horrible. Every person's life has at least one happy moment; they just have to find it!!!