Two or three angels
Came near to the earth.
They saw a fat church.
Little black streams of people
Came and went in continually.
And the angels were puzzled
To know why the people went thus,
And why they stayed so long within.
Two or three angels
Analysis, meaning and summary of Stephen Crane's poem Two or three angels
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I think the poem shows how we as humans have a need to worship or pray or honor our God in a Church. Yes it is a Holy House Of God, but you can also do the same things in your home. We dont need to be in a church to be close to God, and that is what society thinks these days.
I like this poem just the way it is… I think it speaks as to why we feel the need to worship in a church and not through actions and deeds out in the world…what good is praying in a large building for an hour a week if you don’t DO anything!!!
Religion, well-accepted by sociery, has little to do with reality or true spirituality. Crane juxtaposes angels with people he describes as ‘black streams.” Perhaps he sees the people as ants, lowly creatures–mere followers, who have no conception of what blessedness truly is. Perhaps Crane implies that spirituality itself is relative and false because of the “Two or three angels.” Crane creates a sense of meaninglessness.
This poem seems unfinished.Yet interesting at the same time. I feel as if I should add an ending that satisfies me.