Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SALVAGE, by CARL SANDBURG


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SALVAGE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Guns on the battle lines have pounded now a year
Last Line: Guns on the battle lines have pounded a year now between brussels and paris.
Subject(s): World War I; First World War


GUNS on the battle lines have pounded now a year between Brussels and Paris.
And, William Morris, when I read your old chapter on the great arches and naves and little
whimsical corners of the Churches of Northern France -- Brr-rr!
I'm glad you're a dead man, William Morris, I'm glad you're down in the damp and mouldy, only a
memory instead of a living man -- I'm glad you're gone.
You never lied to us, William Morris, you loved the shape of those stones piled and carved for you
to dream over and wonder because workmen got joy of life into them,
Workmen in aprons singing while they hammered, and praying, and putting their songs and prayers
into the walls and roofs, the bastions and cornerstones and gargoyles -- all their children
and kisses of women and wheat and roses growing.
I say, William Morris, I'm glad you're gone, I'm glad you're a dead man.
Guns on the battle lines have pounded a year now between Brussels and Paris.





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