Sunday, May 30, 2010

Threes by Carl Sandburg


I was a boy when I heard three red words 
a thousand Frenchmen died in the streets 
for: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity--I asked 
why men die for words.



I was older; men with mustaches, sideburns, 
lilacs, told me the high golden words are: 
Mother, Home, and Heaven--other older men with 
face decorations said: God, Duty, Immortality 
--they sang these threes slow from deep lungs.


Years ticked off their say-so on the great clocks 
of doom and damnation, soup, and nuts: meteors flashed 
their say-so: and out of great Russia came three 
dusky syllables workmen took guns and went out to die 
for: Bread, Peace, Land.



And I met a marine of the U.S.A., a leatherneck with a girl on his knee 
for a memory in ports circling the earth and he said: Tell me how to say 
three things and I always get by--gimme a plate of ham and eggs--how 
much--and--do you love me, kid?


Poem Source

4 comments:

Wonder Man said...

3's are fun

kayce. said...

"they sell earthworms" ~ fucking hilarious. :D

also, there are so many cute boys in this set of pics that i would be here for half an hour pointing them out... just know that i am looking forward to marrying at least three of these 3's.

Miss Ginger Grant said...

Perfect for a 3-day weekend! One for each day!

Unknown said...

MY FAVORITE NUMBER!

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