In Heaven

By Stephen Crane 1871–1900 Stephen Crane

XVIII

In Heaven,

Some little blades of grass

Stood before God.

“What did you do?”

Then all save one of the little blades

Began eagerly to relate

The merits of their lives.

This one stayed a small way behind

Ashamed.

Presently God said:

“And what did you do?”

The little blade answered: “Oh, my lord,

“Memory is bitter to me

“For if I did good deeds

“I know not of them.”

Then God in all His splendor

Arose from His throne.

“Oh, best little blade of grass,” He said.

Biography

Stephen Crane was one of America's foremost realistic writers, and his works have been credited with marking the beginning of modern American Naturalism. His Civil War novel The Red Badge of Courage (1895) is a classic of American literature that realistically depicts the psychological complexities of fear and courage on the battlefield. Influenced by William Dean Howells's theory of realism, Crane utilized his keen . . .

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