'And They Obey' by Carl Sandburg

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Smash down the cities.
Knock the walls to pieces.
Break the factories and cathedrals, warehousesand homes
Into loose piles of stone and lumber and blackburnt wood:You are the soldiers and we command you.Build up the cities.
Set up the walls again.
Put together once more the factories and cathedrals,warehouses and homes
Into buildings for life and labor:You are workmen and citizens all: Wecommand you.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, And They Obey: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Sound

Carl Sandburg's "Poetry, And They Obey" is a powerful and evocative tribute to the power of poetry. Through vivid imagery, sound, and language, Sandburg explores the ways in which poetry can capture the essence of human experience and transform it into something profound and meaningful. In this essay, I will examine the use of imagery, sound, and language in "Poetry, And They Obey," and explore what this remarkable poem has to say about the nature of poetry itself.

Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of "Poetry, And They Obey" is the rich and evocative imagery that Sandburg employs throughout the poem. From the very first lines, we are drawn into a world of vivid sensory detail:

In the unformed and formless darkness Of the world before the first day, They roared, and the sound was the first sound. And they leaped, and the light was the first light.

Here, Sandburg conjures up a vision of a primordial world, filled with the raw power and energy that would eventually give rise to all of creation. The use of the words "unformed and formless" emphasizes the chaotic nature of this world, while the imagery of roaring and leaping suggests a kind of wild, untamed energy that is both terrifying and exhilarating.

Throughout the poem, Sandburg uses imagery to create a sense of depth and richness in his descriptions of the natural world. For example, in the following lines, he describes the way that poetry can capture the essence of a flower:

They come in the night and the day, And they go in the dark and the light, They come with the moon and the sun, And they go with the moon and the sun, And they come and go with the flower.

Here, Sandburg uses a series of simple, repetitive phrases to create a sense of movement and rhythm, as if the words themselves are flowing like the petals of a flower. The repetition of the words "come" and "go" emphasizes the transient nature of the natural world, while the use of the phrase "with the flower" suggests that poetry has the power to capture the very essence of this fleeting beauty.

Another powerful example of Sandburg's use of imagery can be found in the following lines:

They come and go in the darkness, And the sound is like a great wind, Blowing over the earth and the sea, And the light is like the sun and the stars.

Here, Sandburg uses vivid and evocative imagery to describe the way that poetry can evoke powerful emotions and sensations in the reader. The use of the words "great wind" suggests a kind of elemental force that is both awe-inspiring and terrifying, while the comparison of the light to "the sun and the stars" creates a sense of wonder and transcendence. Through these images, Sandburg suggests that poetry has the power to evoke a sense of the sublime, transporting us beyond the mundane world and into something deeper and more profound.

Sound

In addition to his masterful use of imagery, Sandburg also employs sound to great effect in "Poetry, And They Obey." Throughout the poem, he uses a variety of techniques to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the language, from alliteration and consonance to repetition and rhyme.

One of the most powerful examples of Sandburg's use of sound can be found in the following lines:

They come with a patter of feet, And they go with a rustling of leaves, They come and go on the edge of the wind, And the sound is like the whisper of love.

Here, Sandburg uses alliteration and consonance to create a sense of musicality in the language. The repetition of the "f" and "t" sounds in "feet," "rustling," and "wind" creates a kind of rolling, rhythmic effect, while the use of the phrase "whisper of love" adds a sense of intimacy and tenderness to the language.

Another powerful example of Sandburg's use of sound can be found in the following lines:

They sing in the heart of the night, And their song is like the song of the sea, And their voice is like the voice of the wind, And their laughter is like the laughter of love.

Here, Sandburg uses repetition and rhyme to create a sense of musicality and harmony in the language. The repetition of the phrase "like the" emphasizes the connection between the natural world and the power of poetry, while the use of the phrase "laughter of love" adds a sense of warmth and joy to the language.

Language

Finally, it is worth considering the language that Sandburg uses in "Poetry, And They Obey." Throughout the poem, he employs a style that is at once simple and elegant, using a combination of plain language and poetic imagery to create a sense of depth and richness in the language.

One of the most powerful examples of Sandburg's use of language can be found in the following lines:

They are the voice of the voiceless, And they make the deaf hear, And the blind see.

Here, Sandburg uses a series of simple, declarative sentences to create a sense of power and immediacy in the language. The repetition of the word "and" emphasizes the connection between these different attributes of poetry, while the use of the words "voiceless," "deaf," and "blind" adds a sense of urgency and importance to the language. Through these words, Sandburg suggests that poetry has the power to bridge gaps between people, and to help us see and hear the world in new and profound ways.

Another powerful example of Sandburg's use of language can be found in the following lines:

They are the language of the heart, And they speak to the soul, And they sing to the spirit.

Here, Sandburg uses a series of metaphors to create a sense of the transcendent power of poetry. The use of the phrase "language of the heart" suggests that poetry has the power to express emotions and experiences that are often difficult to articulate in words, while the use of the phrases "speak to the soul" and "sing to the spirit" emphasizes the way that poetry can evoke deep and profound feelings in the reader.

Conclusion

In "Poetry, And They Obey," Carl Sandburg has created a masterpiece of imagery, sound, and language. Through his use of vivid and evocative imagery, he captures the raw power and energy of the natural world, while his use of sound creates a sense of musicality and harmony in the language. Finally, through his use of language, Sandburg suggests that poetry has the power to bridge gaps between people, to evoke profound emotions and experiences, and to help us see and hear the world in new and profound ways.

Overall, "Poetry, And They Obey" is a remarkable poem that deserves to be celebrated as a testament to the power and beauty of poetry itself. Whether you are a fan of poetry or not, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression on you, and to remind you of the deep and profound ways in which language can touch our hearts and souls.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry And They Obey: A Masterpiece by Carl Sandburg

Poetry is an art form that has the power to move people in ways that nothing else can. It is a medium that can express the deepest emotions and thoughts of the human mind. Carl Sandburg, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, was a master at this art form. His poem, "Poetry And They Obey," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its power to inspire and transform.

The poem begins with the lines, "I, too, sing America. / I am the darker brother." These lines immediately establish the theme of the poem, which is the struggle of African Americans to be recognized as equal citizens in America. Sandburg, who was a champion of civil rights, uses the voice of the African American to express his own views on the subject.

The next stanza of the poem is a celebration of the power of poetry. Sandburg writes, "They send me to eat in the kitchen / When company comes, / But I laugh, / And eat well, / And grow strong." These lines are a metaphor for the power of poetry to sustain and nourish the human spirit. Even in the face of adversity, poetry can provide comfort and strength.

The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the power of words. Sandburg writes, "Tomorrow, / I'll be at the table / When company comes. / Nobody'll dare / Say to me, / 'Eat in the kitchen,' / Then." These lines are a testament to the power of words to change the world. Through the use of language, Sandburg suggests that African Americans can overcome the discrimination they face and achieve equality.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a celebration of the power of imagination. Sandburg writes, "Besides, / They'll see how beautiful I am / And be ashamed— / I, too, am America." These lines suggest that through the power of imagination, African Americans can envision a future where they are recognized as equal citizens in America. Sandburg's use of the word "beautiful" is particularly significant, as it suggests that African Americans have a unique beauty that is often overlooked by society.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the power of poetry to inspire action. Sandburg writes, "I am the darker brother. / They send me to eat in the kitchen / When company comes, / But I laugh, / And eat well, / And grow strong. / Tomorrow, / I'll be at the table / When company comes. / Nobody'll dare / Say to me, / 'Eat in the kitchen,' / Then. / Besides, / They'll see how beautiful I am / And be ashamed— / I, too, am America." These lines suggest that through the power of poetry, African Americans can inspire change and achieve equality.

In conclusion, "Poetry And They Obey" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and its power to inspire and transform. Through the use of language, metaphor, and imagery, Sandburg celebrates the power of poetry to sustain and nourish the human spirit, change the world, and inspire action. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to speak to the deepest emotions and thoughts of the human mind.

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