Passers-By

Carl Sandburg

1878 to 1967

Poem Image

Out of your many faces 
Flash memories to me 
Now at the day end 
Away from the sidewalks 
Where your shoe soles traveled 
And your voices rose and blent 
To form the city’s afternoon roar 
Hindering an old silence 

Passers-by, 
I remember lean ones among you. 
Throats in the clutch of a hope. 
Lips wntten over with strivings. 
Mouths that kiss only for love, 
Records of great wishes slept with. 
Held long 
And prayed and toiled for 

Yes, 
Written on 
Your mouths 
And your throats 
I read them 
When you passed by