The Junk Man - A poem by Carl Sandburg

Carl Sandburg - The Junk Man

I AM glad God saw Death
And gave Death a job taking care of all who are tired
of living:

When all the wheels in a clock are worn and slow and
the connections loose
And the clock goes on ticking and telling the wrong time
from hour to hour
And people around the house joke about what a bum
clock it is,
How glad the clock is when the big Junk Man drives
his wagon
Up to the house and puts his arms around the clock and
says:
"You don't belong here,
You gotta come
Along with me,"
How glad the clock is then, when it feels the arms of the
Junk Man close around it and carry it away.

Added: on April 9th, 2006 at 9:41 PM | Viewed: 3458 times | Comments and analysis of The Junk Man by Carl Sandburg Comments (9)

The Junk Man - Comments and Information
Poet: Carl Sandburg Poem: 21. The Junk Man Volume: Chicago Poems - Other Days (1900-1910) Year: Published/Written in 1900 Comment 9 of 9, added on May 14th, 2007 at 7:26 PM. Ann, how beautifully you express yourself, like Sandburg. This poem reminds me of "The Emperor of Ice Cream" by Wallace Stevens, and not just because both are about death, but because both equate death with the ordinary aspects of life. Death is final, but it is not the enemy, nor is the junk man, the emperor of ice cream, the run-down clock or the "sheet on which she embroidered fan tails once", these are all just part of the whole. As are we. Kate from United States Comment 8 of 9, added on May 14th, 2007 at 12:58 AM. At 80 I have great appreciation for Sandburg's poem. I have seen many who were grateful to feel those loving arms of the junk man. Ann from United States Comment 7 of 9, added on April 9th, 2006 at 9:41 PM. I was listening on WGN, Chicago last night and heard this. I do not know much about Carl Sandburg, but after hearing this, I soon will. Moving! To the person that commented afore that this was some what stupid, I say, they have never walked passed a person in a nursing home sitting in a wheel chair w/o any attention, near death already, and that the Junk Man would be welcome at any time there. It sure would be for me.....JC Joe Chanley from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, The Junk Man, has received 9 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: 21. The Junk Man Volume: Chicago Poems - Other Days (1900-1910) Year: Published/Written in 1900 Last read: May 11 2008, 11:52AM Viewed 3458 times. Added on April 9th, 2006 at 9:41 PM.

Sandburg Info
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