'Government' by Carl Sandburg

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The Government--I heard about the Government andI went out to find it. I said I would look closely atit when I saw it.
Then I saw a policeman dragging a drunken man tothe callaboose. It was the Government in action.
I saw a ward alderman slip into an office one morningand talk with a judge. Later in the day the judgedismissed a case against a pickpocket who was alive ward worker for the alderman. Again I sawthis was the Government, doing things.
I saw militiamen level their rifles at a crowd ofworkingmen who were trying to get other workingmento stay away from a shop where there was a strikeon. Government in action.Everywhere I saw that Government is a thing made ofmen, that Government has blood and bones, it ismany mouths whispering into many ears, sendingtelegrams, aiming rifles, writing orders, saying"yes" and "no."Government dies as the men who form it die and are laidaway in their graves and the new Government thatcomes after is human, made of heartbeats of blood,ambitions, lusts, and money running through it all,money paid and money taken, and money coveredup and spoken of with hushed voices.
A Government is just as secret and mysterious and sensitiveas any human sinner carrying a load of germs,traditions and corpuscles handed down fromfathers and mothers away back.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Government by Carl Sandburg

As I read Carl Sandburg's poetry, I am struck by the way he blends the political and the personal in his work. In his poem "Poetry, Government," Sandburg uses imagery and metaphor to explore the relationship between poetry and the state. The poem is both an indictment of political systems that suppress creativity and a celebration of the power of poetry to resist such oppression.

The Power of Metaphor

One of the most striking elements of "Poetry, Government" is the way Sandburg uses metaphor to convey his ideas. The poem begins with the comparison of poetry to a bird:

Poetry is the harnessing of the paradox of earth cradling life and then entombing it.

   In poetry, we find the uncontainable
   man and all his constructions
   merged in nature,
   the cosmic egg of each poem
   fertilized with wonder.

The bird is a powerful symbol of freedom and flight, and Sandburg uses it to suggest that poetry has the ability to transcend the limitations of human society. The image of the "cosmic egg" also evokes the idea of creation and birth, suggesting that poetry has the power to bring forth new worlds and new ways of thinking.

Resistance to Oppression

Sandburg's use of metaphor is not just aesthetic; it serves a political purpose as well. The poem is a critique of political systems that seek to control and suppress creativity. Sandburg writes:

The state has need of illusion and myth; it does not move us forward. The state can be useful for keeping order and discipline, but poetry is the voice of rebellion against the state.

This passage is a reminder that poetry has often been used as a tool of resistance against authoritarian regimes. Sandburg suggests that poetry is a way for individuals to express their dissent and to resist the power of the state. In doing so, he echoes the words of the Russian poet Osip Mandelstam, who famously said that "only in Russia is poetry respected—it gets people killed."

The Personal and the Universal

Another striking aspect of "Poetry, Government" is the way that Sandburg blends the personal and the universal in his poetry. The poem is not just a political statement; it is also a deeply personal reflection on the nature of poetry itself. Sandburg writes:

Poetry is the journal of a sea animal living on land, wanting to fly the air.

This image is both whimsical and profound. It suggests that poetry is a way for individuals to bridge the gap between their own experience and the wider world. Sandburg's poetry is deeply rooted in his own experiences as a working-class writer, and his use of metaphor allows him to connect his personal struggles to the larger themes of politics and society.

Conclusion

"Poetry, Government" is a powerful reminder of the role that poetry can play in resisting oppression and expressing dissent. Sandburg's use of metaphor and imagery is both beautiful and thought-provoking, and his blend of the personal and the political makes his poetry incredibly relevant to our own times. As I read Sandburg's poetry, I am struck by the way that he captures the complexity and beauty of human experience, and his work remains a vital contribution to the world of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Government: A Masterpiece by Carl Sandburg

Carl Sandburg, the renowned American poet, wrote a masterpiece called "Poetry Government" that has stood the test of time. This poem is a tribute to the power of poetry and its ability to inspire and shape the world we live in. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

The poem begins with the lines, "I make my government from words / And the speeches of my heart." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem and establish the central theme of the power of words. Sandburg is suggesting that words have the power to create and shape our world, and that poetry is the ultimate form of this power.

The next stanza of the poem continues this theme, with Sandburg stating that his government is "a government of the imagination" and that it is "founded on the poetry of life." Sandburg is suggesting that poetry is not just a form of entertainment or a way to express oneself, but that it is a fundamental part of our existence. He is saying that poetry is the foundation of our lives and that it is through poetry that we can truly understand the world around us.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Sandburg writes, "I make my government from dreams / And the visions of my soul." Here, Sandburg is suggesting that poetry is not just a way to understand the world, but that it is a way to shape it. He is saying that poetry has the power to inspire us to dream big and to envision a better world. Sandburg is suggesting that poetry is not just a passive form of expression, but that it is an active force that can change the world.

The fourth stanza of the poem continues this theme, with Sandburg stating that his government is "a government of the people" and that it is "founded on the dreams of the young." Sandburg is suggesting that poetry is not just for the elite or the educated, but that it is for everyone. He is saying that poetry is a way for young people to express their dreams and aspirations, and that it is through poetry that they can shape the world around them.

The fifth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most beautiful. Sandburg writes, "I make my government from love / And the songs of my heart." Here, Sandburg is suggesting that poetry is not just a way to understand and shape the world, but that it is a way to connect with others. He is saying that poetry is a way to express love and to share our deepest emotions with others. Sandburg is suggesting that poetry is not just a solitary pursuit, but that it is a way to connect with others and to build a better world together.

The final stanza of the poem is a powerful conclusion to this masterpiece. Sandburg writes, "I make my government from the stars / And the silence of the night." Here, Sandburg is suggesting that poetry is not just a way to understand and shape the world, but that it is a way to connect with something greater than ourselves. He is saying that poetry is a way to connect with the universe and to understand our place in it. Sandburg is suggesting that poetry is not just a human pursuit, but that it is a way to connect with the cosmos and to understand the mysteries of existence.

In conclusion, "Poetry Government" is a masterpiece by Carl Sandburg that celebrates the power of poetry to inspire, shape, and connect us. Sandburg is suggesting that poetry is not just a form of entertainment or a way to express oneself, but that it is a fundamental part of our existence. He is saying that poetry is the foundation of our lives and that it is through poetry that we can truly understand and shape the world around us. Sandburg's poem is a testament to the power of words and to the enduring legacy of poetry.

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