Tomorrow, January 6th, is Carl Sandburg’s birthday. So I thought today would be a good Friday to post something by and about Sandburg. I’ve already posted my favorite Sandburg poem, Arithmetic, here. I found this poem tonight:

“Joy” (1916) by Carl Sandburg

Let a joy keep you.
Reach out your hands
And take it when it runs by,
As the Apache dancer
Clutches his woman.
I have seen them
Live long and laugh loud,
Sent on singing, singing,
Smashed to the heart
Under the ribs
With a terrible love.
Joy always,
Joy everywhere–
Let joy kill you!
Keep away from the little deaths.

I like those last two lines.