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Stephen Crane

I stood upon a high place,

And saw, below, many devils

Running, leaping,

And carousing in sin.

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adjective

Engaged in or ready for action; characterized by energetic work, thought, or speech.

The students were very active in class discussions, asking many thoughtful questions.

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Common Things

20 lines
Paul Laurence Dunbar·1872–1906·modernist literature
like to hear of wealth and gold,And El Doradoes in their glory;I like for silks and satins boldTo sweep and rustle through a story. The nightingale is sweet of song;The rare exotic smells divinely;And knightly men who stride along,The role heroic carry finely. But then, upon the other hand,Our minds have got a way of runningTo things that aren't quite so grand,Which, maybe, we are best in shunning. For some of us still like to seeThe poor man in his dwelling narrow,The hollyhock, the bumblebee,The meadow lark, and chirping sparrow. We like the man who soars and singsWith high and lofty inspiration;But he who sings of common thingsShall always share our admiration.