The work is a playful and self-referential poem that presents itself as a literary offering. It humorously describes itself as a "platter" rather than a "dish," suggesting it is more of a presentation than a substantial work. The text acknowledges its own disorganized nature, likening it to the disruption of May flowers by frost. The poem reflects on the nature of books and pamphlets, hinting at the superficiality of appearances versus the depth of content. It is a light-hearted exploration of literary form and presentation.
By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1885 · Genre: Poetry, Experimental Literature, Metafiction