A Fence - A poem by Carl Sandburg

Carl Sandburg - A Fence

NOW the stone house on the lake front is finished and the
workmen are beginning the fence.
The palings are made of iron bars with steel points that
can stab the life out of any man who falls on them.
As a fence, it is a masterpiece, and will shut off the rabble
and all vagabonds and hungry men and all wandering
children looking for a place to play.
Passing through the bars and over the steel points will go
nothing except Death and the Rain and To-morrow.

Share |

Added: Feb 4 2004 | Viewed: 9451 times |

Comments (6)

A Fence - Comments and Information
Poet: Carl Sandburg Poem: 27. A Fence Volume: Chicago Poems - Chicago Poems Year: Published/Written in 1912 Poem of the Day: Jan 15 2001 Comment 6 of 6, added on March 2nd, 2013 at 1:37 PM. tmmTXtOL Wow, Moon!I lost my time surfing along and lnoisg the opportunity to read this small gem you create from such a difficult feeling, mixing up a dark perception with the obscure den of an evil turn which without light can burn!Congrats! Yury from Botswana Comment 5 of 6, added on December 19th, 2012 at 11:10 PM. fence We analyzed this poem for a group project today and we thought it was deep and almost motivational. With the "palings on the iron fence" part showing how nobody can hurt your soul, dreams, or your personality can. Only death, the rain (i guess sadness maybe), and tomorrow (as in you can change them) idk. i really like it though. our presentation is tomorrow. but whatever, poems always seem different to other people. its nice seeing how other people interpreted it nik c Comment 4 of 6, added on December 19th, 2012 at 11:10 PM. fence We analyzed this poem for a group project today and we thought it was deep and almost motivational. With the "palings on the iron fence" part showing how nobody can hurt your soul, dreams, or your personality can. Only death, the rain (i guess sadness maybe), and tomorrow (as in you can change them) idk. i really like it though. our presentation is tomorrow. but whatever, poems always seem different to other people. its nice seeing how other people interpreted it nik c More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, A Fence, has received 6 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own.

Poem Info
Poet: Carl Sandburg Poem: 27. A Fence Volume: Chicago Poems - Chicago Poems Year: Published/Written in 1912 Last read: 2013-05-20 14:09:44 Poem of the Day: Jan 15 2001 Viewed 9451 times. Added Feb 4 2004.

Sandburg Info
Biography More Poems (442 poems) Carl Sandburg books