
The collection opens with a storm of striking images—black riders crashing from the sea, three curious birds mocking a passerby, a desert wanderer who cradles his own heart. Each fragment reads like a miniature myth, a flash of imagination that blends the ancient with the absurd. The language moves between rhythmic chant and stark prose, inviting listeners to linger on every clang of spear and every whispered confession. As the pieces unfold, the work builds a tapestry of strange encounters that feel both timeless and oddly contemporary.
In listening, you’ll travel through a series of solitary visions: a god‑like ship adrift without a rudder, a mystic shadow demanding truth, a lone sage examining a newspaper, and a blade of grass pleading its forgotten deeds. The poems wrestle with power, faith, and the human urge to find order in chaos, all while keeping a playful, sometimes mischievous tone. The result is an auditory journey that rewards careful attention, offering moments of wonder, humor, and quiet contemplation.
Language
en
Duration
~21 minutes (20K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2012-09-17
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1871–1900
A major voice in American realism and naturalism, this fiercely original writer packed a remarkable literary legacy into just 28 years. Best known for The Red Badge of Courage, he also brought striking honesty and intensity to stories like Maggie: A Girl of the Streets and “The Open Boat.”
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