A Man Said to the Universe
BY STEPHEN CRANE
A man said to the universe:
“Sir, I exist!”
“However,” replied the universe,
“The fact has not created in me
A sense of obligation.”
I first learned that poem under the name "sense of obligation," as that was the title of a 1961 Harry Harrison story serialized in Analog. The poem was quoted at the beginning of the text.
I was reminded of it when I saw the James Webb telescope pictures this week. Stephen Crane's universe replied to the man, albeit dismissively. The universe in these pictures does not pause to answer, not even to dismiss our concerns.
Here, the universe says to man, "I exist."
And that's all she wrote.
 |
3 comments:
Edward Abbey once wrote about how nature is oblivious to humanity and the indignities we heap upon it. Thanks for sharing Crane's even broader perspective.
I'm not familiar with Edward Abbey, so I will go look for his writing. Thanks!
I think that was in Desert Solitaire.
Post a Comment