"Chicago" by Carl Sandburg
Posted by: 
Hikenutty
N 41° 53.494 W 087° 36.463
16T E 449584 N 4637915
Carl Sandburg was one of the city of Chicago's famous sons. His collection, "Chicago Poems" was published in 1916, and the most famous poem from the collection was simply titled "Chicago".
Waymark Code: WM1XRZ
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 07/29/2007
Views: 106
CHICAGO
HOG Butcher for the World,
Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler;
Stormy, husky, brawling,
City of the Big Shoulders:
They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I
have seen your painted women under the gas lamps
luring the farm boys.
And they tell me you are crooked and I answer: Yes, it
is true I have seen the gunman kill and go free to
kill again.
And they tell me you are brutal and my reply is: On the
faces of women and children I have seen the marks
of wanton hunger.
And having answered so I turn once more to those who
sneer at this my city, and I give them back the sneer
and say to them:
Come and show me another city with lifted head singing
so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning.
Flinging magnetic curses amid the toil of piling job on
job, here is a tall bold slugger set vivid against the
little soft cities;
Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action, cunning
as a savage pitted against the wilderness,
Bareheaded,
Shoveling,
Wrecking,
Planning,
Building, breaking, rebuilding,
Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with
white teeth,
Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young
man laughs,
Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs who has
never lost a battle,
Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse.
and under his ribs the heart of the people,
Laughing!
Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of
Youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be Hog
Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with
Railroads and Freight Handler to the Nation.
This famous poem is read by almost all high school students as they study American literature. Who doesn't know the phrase, "Chicago, hog butcher for the world"? This waymark is for the city that so inspired Sandburg that he wrote an entire collection of poetry about it.
The waymark coordinates are for the base of the Navy Pier ferris wheel, a perfect place to get a gorgeous view of the city Sandburg loved.
Short Description: Chicago, the famous industrial city, was known for its slaughterhouses and its drive to be the best.
Book Title: Chicago Poems
Author's Name: Carl Sandburg
Name of Waymarked Item: Navy Pier view of the city
Location of Item: Navy Pier
More Information:
The poem "Chicago" is an ode to the city and its blue collar inhabitants who made it what it was.
Link to more information about the book or waymarked item.: [Web Link]
First Year Published: Not listed
Admission Price?: Not Listed
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