Jaws

Carl Sandburg

1878 to 1967

Poem Image

Seven nations stood with their hands on the jaws of death 
It was the first week in August, Nineteen Hundred Fourteen 
I was listening, you were listening, the whole world was listening. 
And all of us heard a Voice murmuring 
           "I am the way and the light, 
           He that believeth on me 
           Shall not perish 
           But shall have everlasting life 
Seven nations listening heard the Voice and answered 
           "O Hell!" 
The jaws of death began clicking and they go on clicking 
           "O Hell!"