Momus

Carl Sandburg

1878 to 1967

Poem Image

We are working on musical arrangements of Momus by Carl Sandburg and they will be published on a date yet to be decided.

Momus is the name men give your face,
The brag of its tone, like a long low steamboat whistle 
Finding a way mid mist on a shoreland, 
Where gray rocks let the salt water shatter spray 
Against horizons purple, silent 

Yes, Momus, 
Men have flung your face in bronze 
To gaze in gargoyle downward on a street-whirl of folk 
They were artists did this, shaped your sad mouth, 
Gave you a tall forehead slanted with calm, broad wisdom,
All your lips to the corners and your cheeks to the high bones 
Thrown over and through with a smile that forever wishes and wishes, purple, silent, fled from all the iron things of life, evaded like a sought bandit, gone into dreams, by God 

I wonder, Momus, 
Whether shadows of the dead sit somewhere and look with deep laughter 
On men who play in terrible earnest the old, known, solemn repetitions of history 
A droning monotone soft as sea laughter hovers from your kindliness of bronze, 
You give me the human ease of a mountain peak, purple, silent, 
Granite shoulders heaving above the earth curves,
Careless eye-witness of the spawning tides of men and women 
Swarming always in a drift of millions to the dust of toil, the salt of tears,
And blood drops of undiminishing war 

Carl Sandburg's Momus

We are busy working to bring Carl Sandburg's "Momus" to life through our unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you soon.

At V2Melody, each arrangement is crafted with care through a thoughtful partnership of human artistry and technological innovation. This process involves:

  • Deep analysis of the poem's rhythm, structure, and emotional essence
  • Careful selection of musical styles that enhance the poem's unique voice
  • Balancing traditional poetic expression with contemporary sound landscapes
  • Multiple revisions to ensure the arrangement honors the poet's original vision

This creative journey takes time—each composition represents hours of dedicated work to create something that deepens our connection to Carl Sandburg's words in meaningful ways.

While you wait for our complete interpretation, we invite you to explore other musical arrangements in our gallery or learn more about Carl Sandburg's life and contributions to literature.

Check back soon to experience how "Momus" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.