Included Poem: There was a man and a woman by Stephan Crane

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Four lovers, three deaths, two loves. An angry they. A man and a woman. You decide – who loved?

i.

There was a man and a woman
Who sinned.
Then did the man heap the punishment
All upon the head of her,
And went away gaily.

The first pair of lovers, did they love? Night after night they spent together, loving and breathing the sweet sweat of thin air. When they were caught she was to be punished, she was no longer pure as she should be. The man left happily, off to find unsealed sweet air. Did they love?

ii.

There was a man and a woman
Who sinned.
And the man stood with her.
As upon her head, so upon his,
Fell blow and blow,
And all people screaming, "Fool!"
He was a brave heart.

The second, did they love? The hand pressing against hand as they passed, secrets spoken through brushing fingertips. Chaste kisses in the corners and brief whispers in the night. When she was caught he stayed. Beaten, stoned, bloodied to death. Did they love?

iii.

He was a brave heart.
Would you speak with him, friend?
Well, he is dead,
And there went your opportunity.
Let it be your grief
That he is dead
And your opportunity gone;
For, in that, you were a coward.

And now it is upon you to choose. Did you punish two loves, or one? For you are the they, the catchers, the stoners, bloodiers Who loved, who loved? The gaily man or the fool? Look at which any way you want. But remember to remember the woman. She loved.

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