Poetry Out Loud

Cool Tombs

POEM VIEWS: 7092
Print this Page


Though first made famous for the urban aesthetic of his poems about the people and city of Chicago, Carl Sandburg (1878-1967) was born with humble

. . . MORE »

By Carl Sandburg

When Abraham Lincoln was shoveled into the tombs, he forgot the copperheads and the assassin ... in the dust, in the cool tombs.

And Ulysses Grant lost all thought of con men and Wall Street, cash and collateral turned ashes ... in the dust, in the cool tombs.

Pocahontas’ body, lovely as a poplar, sweet as a red haw in November or a pawpaw in May, did she wonder? does she remember? ... in the dust, in the cool tombs?

Take any streetful of people buying clothes and groceries, cheering a hero or throwing confetti and blowing tin horns ... tell me if the lovers are losers ... tell me if any get more than the lovers ... in the dust ... in the cool tombs.





HOME

BLOG

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

POEMS
Browse Poems
Browse Poets
Pre-20th Century
25-Lines and Fewer
Keyword Search
Today's Poet
Audio Guide
Videos

TEACHERS GUIDE
Table of Contents
Writing Activities &
  Lesson Plans

Contest Promotion

FOR TEACHERS
State Contacts
Judges Guide
Teacher FAQ
NCTE Standards
Students with
  Disabilities

Competition Resources
Teacher Quotes
Teacher Feedback

FOR STUDENTS
Find a Poem
Evaluation Criteria
Student FAQ
Submit Comments

NEWS & EVENTS
National Finals
Press Releases
Events Calendar
Media Contacts
News Clips
Photo Gallery
Download Graphics

FOR STATE PARTNERS
Contacts
Program Resources
State Partner FAQ
Finals Planning
Download Graphics
SAA Forum

STATE CONTACTS