101 Poems, Number 46

Favorite Poems Throughout My Life

46: “A Man Said to the Universe," from War Is Kind (1899), by Stephen Crane (1871–1900)

His life was short—just like his verse.

He called them “lines”—as if a curse

Would fall on him if he weren’t terse.

They aren’t too hard to memorize—

So short, succinct, full of surprise—

Importance is not linked to size.

Crane played some baseball—Syracuse.

This never ceases to amuse

Me. And, as well, a bit, confuse:

The man whose lines are like his name—

So edged and simple—sharp but tame—

Could line a triple in a game.

Link to poem.