Languages - A poem by Carl Sandburg

Carl Sandburg - Languages

THERE are no handles upon a language
Whereby men take hold of it
And mark it with signs for its remembrance.
It is a river, this language,
Once in a thousand years
Breaking a new course
Changing its way to the ocean.
It is mountain effluvia
Moving to valleys
And from nation to nation
Crossing borders and mixing.
Languages die like rivers.
Words wrapped round your tongue today
And broken to shape of thought
Between your teeth and lips speaking
Now and today
Shall be faded hieroglyphics
Ten thousand years from now.
Sing--and singing--remember
Your song dies and changes
And is not here to-morrow
Any more than the wind
Blowing ten thousand years ago.

Added: on April 21st, 2005 at 5:35 PM | Viewed: 2377 times | Comments and analysis of Languages by Carl Sandburg Comments (4)

Languages - Comments and Information
Poet: Carl Sandburg Poem: 16. Languages Volume: Chicago Poems - Other Days (1900-1910) Year: Published/Written in 1900 Comment 4 of 4, added on September 13th, 2007 at 12:09 AM. I disagree with the first comment. This poem does not hint at "the 'one' language," but is a commentary on the fluid nature of languages in general. Steve from Canada Comment 3 of 4, added on March 8th, 2007 at 2:03 PM. This poem is trying to say that years ago, they have been using the "one" language, and now, you do not use the "one" language from long ago. If you look at it in the futute, you may not use a certain language, they you have heard in 2000. Takizzle Comment 2 of 4, added on April 21st, 2005 at 5:35 PM. this poem is really good!!!!!even though i'm not sure what it means.How can people not comment in such beautiful poems?????oh well Carla from Canada More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Languages, has received 4 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Carl Sandburg with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Carl Sandburg Poem: 16. Languages Volume: Chicago Poems - Other Days (1900-1910) Year: Published/Written in 1900 Last read: May 9 2008, 8:11PM Viewed 2377 times. Added on April 21st, 2005 at 5:35 PM.

Sandburg Info
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