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.
I like the last two lines as well. Little deaths, like little victories, should probably be avoided.
BTW, I was looking for an email address to extend a blog-related invitation to you, but didn’t see one. Would you mind sending me a note?
That last line is somewhat haunting.What do you think are examples of “little deaths”