The Demiurge’s Laugh

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  "title": "The Demiurge’s Laugh",
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  "summary": "A speaker recounts a futile chase through a monotonous wood after a “Demon” he already knows is no god, only to be halted when the creature, ancient and unconcerned, reveals its longevity and amusement: the narrator discovers he has been outwitted, his wound behind him rather than in front, and is mocked by a laugh that makes him feel foolish; he feigns continued purpose among the leaves but ultimately surrenders to quiet shame and sits against a tree. The episode turns a hunt into an encounter with the emptiness of idolizing or pursuing false powers, exposing pride and self-deception, while the Demon’s sleepy, mocking indifference emphasizes the narrator’s smallness and the poem’s quiet, ironic melancholy.",
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    "It was far in the sameness of the wood; I was running with joy on the Demon’s trail, Though I knew what I hunted was no true god. It was just as the light was beginning to fail That I suddenly heard—all I needed to hear: It has lasted me many and many a year.",
    "The wound was behind me instead of before, A sleepy sound, but mocking half, As of one who utterly couldn’t care. The Demon arose from his wallow to laugh, Brushing the dirt from his eye as he went; And well I knew what the Demon meant.",
    "I shall not forget how his laugh rang out. I felt as a fool to have been so caught, And checked my steps to make pretence It was something among the leaves I sought (Though doubtful whether he stayed to see). Thereafter I sat me against a tree."
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  "body_text": "It was far in the sameness of the wood; I was running with joy on the Demon’s trail, Though I knew what I hunted was no true god. It was just as the light was beginning to fail That I suddenly heard—all I needed to hear: It has lasted me many and many a year.\n\nThe wound was behind me instead of before, A sleepy sound, but mocking half, As of one who utterly couldn’t care. The Demon arose from his wallow to laugh, Brushing the dirt from his eye as he went; And well I knew what the Demon meant.\n\nI shall not forget how his laugh rang out. I felt as a fool to have been so caught, And checked my steps to make pretence It was something among the leaves I sought (Though doubtful whether he stayed to see). Thereafter I sat me against a tree.",
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    "It was far in the sameness of the wood; I was running with joy on the Demon's trail, Though I knew what I hunted was no true god. It was just as the light was beginning to fail That I suddenly heard - all I needed to hear: It has lasted me many and many a year.",
    "The wound was behind me instead of before, A sleepy sound, but mocking half, As of one who utterly couldn't care. The Demon arose from his wallow to laugh, Brushing the dirt from his eye as he went; And well I knew what the Demon meant.",
    "I shall not forget how his laugh rang out. I felt as a fool to have been so caught, And checked my steps to make pretence It was something among the leaves I sought (Though doubtful whether he stayed to see). Thereafter I sat me against a tree."
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    "The wound was behind me instead of before, A sleepy sound, but mocking half, As of one who utterly couldn't care. The Demon arose from his wallow to laugh, Brushing the dirt from his eye as he went; And well I knew what the Demon meant.",
    "I shall not forget how his laugh rang out. I felt as a fool to have been so caught, And checked my steps to make pretence It was something among the leaves I sought (Though doubtful whether he stayed to see). Thereafter I sat me against a tree."
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