discussion post on Poetry

All throughout history humans have tried to understand their part in the universe. Historically, many nations such as the Mesopotamians, Romans, Sumerians and so on relied on the stars for a plethora of things. If they needed certain crops to grow, to win a war or spiritual guidance the ancient civilizations looked to the stars. These ancient civilizations relied on shamans to communicate to the universe, or as they saw it the Gods. Their study of cosmology lead many of their rulers to assert their dominance as kings and emperors in the form of embodying the sky Gods, as they were chosen.  

After reading “A Man Said to the Universe” it has made me reconsider the importance of humanity in the grand scheme of things. Humans are here, we have made great advancements and explored the depths of space, but what does that matter to the universe? The response from the universe is always the same “The fact has not created in me/ A sense of obligation.” (Crane). What many have strived to do in their lifetime is create a legacy, an empire, a government that will outlast space and time, but humanity cannot escape these impending things as it is just the natural order of the universe. We have said to the universe “Sir, I exist!” (Crane), but it is mere a millisecond compared to the lightyears the universe has experienced. 

Crane’s poem outlines the ironic conversation that humanity continues to have with our mysterious and confusing universe. I was more optimistic before reading this poem.