Stephen Maria Crane

Here you will find the Poem Once there came a man of poet Stephen Maria Crane

Once there came a man

Once there came a man 
Who said, 
"Range me all men of the world in rows." 
And instantly 
There was terrific clamour among the people 
Against being ranged in rows. 
There was a loud quarrel, world-wide. 
It endured for ages; 
And blood was shed 
By those who would not stand in rows, 
And by those who pined to stand in rows. 
Eventually, the man went to death, weeping. 
And those who staid in bloody scuffle 
Knew not the great simplicity.