From The Black Riders and Other Lines [1895] ...

[ashcanprobably.livejournal.com]

3.

In the desert
I saw a creature, naked, bestial,
Who, squatting upon the ground,
Held his heart in his hands,
And ate of it.
I said, "Is it good, friend?"
"It is bitter – bitter", he answered,
"But I like it
Because it is bitter,
And because it is my heart."

Stephen Crane

Comments

[deathjoy.livejournal.com]

I love stephen crane's poetry. This is a favorite.

[ashcanprobably.livejournal.com]

What's the big idea?

[iatrogenicmyth.livejournal.com]

I feel like I'd need to read more of this to decide whether or not I like it or not. Right now I'm on the fence.

Although: the sole reason I bought Joyce Carol Oates' novel "Because it is Bitter, and Because it is My Heart" is because I was so impressed with that title.

[superjill.livejournal.com]

Even though the last line repeats what was already said, it still jabbed at me. (In a good way.) I really like this.

[break-the-stars.livejournal.com]

Hmm I have read this poem before and loved it before. And love it still. But I have a feeling it's part of a bigger poem? Or a series? I don't know... I feel like there was more to it. Hmm.

[iatrogenicmyth.livejournal.com]

yes, this was part three of a multi-part poem

[http://users.livejournal.com/i_broke_it_/]

I've always loved this.