Riddle of America, The - Waldorf Research Institute

Carl SandburgDespite the fact that Sandburg writes in the twentieth century, I wouldlike to cite two of his poems because he reminds me of Whitman, althoughhe does not have the older poet’s vast sweep of words or vision. I includethe first poem for its marvelous interplay of irregular rhymings, assonancesand repetitions, and the second for its blunt power coupled with great simplicityand economy of words and poetic devices.COOL TOMBSWhen Abraham Lincoln was shoveled into the tombs, he forgotthe copperheads and the assassins … in the dust, in thecool tombs.And Ulysses Grant lost all thought of con men and Wall Streetcash and collateral turned ashes … in the dust, in thecool tombs.Pocahontas’ body, lovely as a polar, sweet as a red haw inNovemberor a pawpaw in May, did she wonder? does sheremember? … in the dust, in the cool tombs?Take any streetful of people buying clothes and groceries,cheering a hero or throwing confetti and blowing tin horns… tell me if the lovers are losers tell me if any getmore than the lovers … in the dust … in the cool tombs.GRASSPile the bodies high at Austerlitz and Waterloo,Shovel them under and let me work–I am the grass; I cover all.And pile them high at GettysburgAnd pile them high at Ypres and Verdun.Shovel them under and let me work.Two years, ten years, and passengers ask the conductor:What place is this?Where are we now?I am the grass.Let me work.235