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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE BLACK RIDERS: 55 by STEPHEN CRANE

Poet Analysis

First Line: A MAN TOILED ON A BURNING ROAD
Last Line: "BUT THE ASS ONLY GRINNED AT HIM FROM THE GREEN PLACE."

A man toiled on a burning road,
Never resting.
Once he saw a fat, stupid ass
Grinning at him from a green place.
The man cried out in rage,
"Ah! Do not deride me, fool!
"I know you --
"All day stuffing your belly,
"Burying your heart
"In grass and tender sprouts:
"It will not suffice you."
"But the ass only grinned at him from the green place.




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