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Stephen Crane - There was, before me

There was, before me,
Mile upon mile
Of snow, ice, burning sand.
And yet I could look beyond all this,
To a place of infinite beauty;
And I could see the loveliness of her
Who walked in the shade of the trees.
When I gazed,
All was lost
But this place of beauty and her.
When I gazed,
And in my gazing, desired,
Then came again
Mile upon mile,
Of snow, ice, burning sand.

Added: on November 1st, 2004 at 7:42 AM | Viewed: 5287 times | Comments and analysis of There was, before me by Stephen Crane Comments (2)


There was, before me - Comments and Information

Poet: Stephen Crane
Poem: 21. There was, before me
Volume: The Black Riders & Other Lines
Year: Published/Written in 1905
Poem of the Day: Dec 6 2000

Comment 2 of 2, added on August 7th, 2005 at 4:47 PM.

Crane is speaking of knowing the good beyond the dreaful things for he is pure and unwanting and so appreciates the good, whether this be an attraction to a woman or other. However, it seems as soon as he desires these things and becomes selfish with wanting them he has so lost his pure nature. And his acceptance with his life becomes a life he finds unacceptable.

Kevin from United States
Comment 1 of 2, added on November 1st, 2004 at 7:42 AM.

Despite what lies before us in ways of trials, it is possible, as well as necessary, to look past it all and remember what it is we're fighting for or working towards.

Lily from United States

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