Author
Clark Ashton Smith
1893-1961
Clark Ashton Smith (1893-1961) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaBooks by Clark Ashton Smith
Ebony and Crystal: Poems in Verse and Prose
"Ebony and Crystal: Poems in Verse and Prose" by Clark Ashton Smith is a collection of poetry and prose written in the early 20th century. This work showcases the author's rich imagination and mastery of language, often delving into themes of beauty, mystery, love, and existential musings. The collection includes standalone poems and poetic prose that evoke vivid imagery and deep emotional resonance, setting the stage for a journey through Smith's unique and fantastical perspectives. At the start of "Ebony and Crystal," the reader is introduced to a variety of poems that capture the essence of beauty in nature, love, and the ephemeral nature of existence. The opening pieces, like "Arabesque" and "Beyond the Great Wall," blend lush descriptions of landscapes with contemplations on time and longing. Smith's words conjure a dreamlike quality, transporting readers into worlds filled with cypresses, distant stars, and the echoes of ancient poets like Omar Khayyam. The work immediately establishes an atmosphere that invites exploration and reflection on the deeper meanings hidden within the imagery and themes presented.
The Star-Treader, and other poems
"The Star-Treader, and other poems" by Clark Ashton Smith is a collection of poetry written during the early 20th century. The book explores themes of beauty, death, and the cosmic experiences of humanity, revealing a rich tapestry of metaphysical musings and vivid imagery. Smith, a prominent figure in the weird fiction movement, uses his lyrical style to delve into existential queries and the nature of existence, all while engaging with the themes of myth and the sublime. Within this collection, readers will find poems that traverse a variety of landscapes, both earthly and celestial, invoking a sense of wonder and contemplation. Poems such as "The Star-Treader" illustrate a journey through dreams and memory, while "Nero" reflects on power and the fragility of life. The poems are infused with an ethereal quality, capturing moments of beauty intertwined with philosophical reflections on the cosmos and humanity’s place within it. From the haunting lament of lost beauty in "Song to Oblivion" to the vibrant imagery of nature in "The Butterfly," Smith’s works invite readers into a world where beauty and terror coexist, leaving them to ponder the deeper meanings embedded in each stanza.