Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Carl Sandburg (1878–1967). Chicago Poems. 1916.

46. To Beachey—1912

RIDING against the east,

A veering, steady shadow

Purrs the motor-call

Of the man-bird

Ready with the death-laughter

In his throat

And in his heart always

The love of the big blue beyond.

Only a man,

A far fleck of shadow on the east

Sitting at ease

With his hands on a wheel

And around him the large gray wings.

Hold him, great soft wings,

Keep and deal kindly, O wings,

With the cool, calm shadow at the wheel.