Stephen Crane's "A man said to the universe...."

[TheFolklorist]

Stephen Crane was an American novelist, short story writer, poet and journalist who lived from November 1st, 1871 to June 5th, 1900. He is best known for his novel The Red Badge of Courage (1895). He is also known for his poetry. This poem here, "A man said to the universe..." has long been one of my favorites. I originally heard it on NPR on a show dealing with angels but a few months back realized how perfectly it also summed up Lovecraft's overall philosophy as expressed via cosmicism and the Cthulhu Mythos.   

The poem:

A man said to the universe
“Sir I exist!”
“However,” replied the universe, “That fact has not created in me a sense of obligation.”

[Ruth - CthulhuChick]

Though in the mythos version, the universe might've said back "Do you? Let me show you a few things and let you decide..."

[Kaelestes]

Though in the mythos version, the universe might've said back "Do you? Let me show you a few things and let you decide..."

[catamount]

Or the universe asked, "What are you again?"

[Cacodaemoniacal]

Or the universe said nothing....