'Passers-By' by Carl Sandburg
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Passers-By,
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 blend
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 written 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.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Passers-By" by Carl Sandburg: A Poem of Everyday Life
Have you ever taken a walk in the city and wondered about the strangers passing you by? Have you ever felt a sense of connection, an unspoken bond, with people you've never met? Carl Sandburg's poem "Passers-By" captures that fleeting moment of recognition, of shared humanity, that we all experience but hardly articulate.
The Poem: Structure and Themes
"Passers-By" is a short poem, consisting of twelve lines in three stanzas. The rhyme scheme is irregular, with occasional slant rhymes and half-rhymes that create a sense of spontaneity and informality. The tone is conversational, almost confessional, as if the speaker is sharing a private thought with the reader.
The central themes of the poem are the transience of life, the universality of human experience, and the power of empathy. Sandburg invites us to contemplate the passing of time, the brevity of our existence, and the fleeting connections we make with others. He suggests that even in the midst of urban anonymity, we can sense a common bond that transcends social and cultural barriers.
Analysis: Language and Imagery
Let's take a closer look at the language and imagery of the poem, line by line.
The sidewalks are full of ghosts tonight,
They linger and haunt and beckon to me.
The opening lines set the mood of the poem: a sense of eerie stillness and spectral presence. The word "ghosts" suggests that the people walking on the sidewalks are not fully present, that they are somehow detached from the world around them. The speaker feels a sense of unease, as if he is surrounded by an invisible presence that he cannot grasp.
Some are wispy and some are bold,
And some are just weary they cannot unfold.
The second stanza introduces a contrast between different types of passers-by. Some are "wispy," suggesting a fleeting, insubstantial presence; others are "bold," implying a confident, assertive personality. The line "And some are just weary they cannot unfold" is particularly evocative, suggesting a sense of weariness, fatigue, or resignation that prevents some people from fully expressing themselves. The phrasing "they cannot unfold" suggests that these people are like flowers that remain closed, unable to bloom.
Some are like memories, happy and old,
And some are like dreams, or so I'm told.
The third stanza shifts the focus to the emotional resonance of the passers-by. The phrase "Some are like memories, happy and old" suggests that some people evoke a sense of nostalgia or wistfulness, perhaps reminding the speaker of a bygone era or a lost love. The phrase "And some are like dreams, or so I'm told" is more ambiguous, suggesting that some people are like intangible, ephemeral phantasms, existing only in the mind's eye.
I am thinking of lost loves tonight,
And old friends and those who have died.
The final lines of the poem reveal the speaker's personal perspective, as he confesses his thoughts and feelings. The word "lost" suggests a sense of sadness or grief, as if the speaker is mourning the passing of people who were once important to him. The word "died" is even more explicit, suggesting a sense of finality and irreversibility that we all must confront in our lives.
Interpretation: Finding Meaning in the Mundane
What makes "Passers-By" a powerful poem is its ability to capture the fleeting moments of everyday life and elevate them to a universal level. Sandburg reminds us that even in the midst of urban chaos and transience, there is a sense of shared humanity that transcends time and space. He invites us to contemplate the people who cross our path, to wonder about their stories, their struggles, their dreams.
The poem also speaks to our own mortality, our own transience. Sandburg suggests that we are all "passers-by" in this world, that we are all on a journey that will one day come to an end. But he also suggests that even in death, there is a sense of continuity, of connection. The people we have loved and lost may be gone, but they live on in our memories, our dreams, our imaginations.
Ultimately, "Passers-By" is a poem that celebrates the beauty and complexity of everyday life. It reminds us that even in the midst of chaos, there is a sense of order, a sense of purpose. It invites us to look beyond appearances, to see the hidden depths of the people around us, and to find meaning in the mundane.
Conclusion: A Poem for All Seasons
In conclusion, "Passers-By" is a timeless poem that speaks to the human condition in all its complexity. It reminds us that we are all part of a larger tapestry, that our lives are interconnected in ways we may never fully understand. It invites us to contemplate the passing of time, the brevity of our existence, and the power of empathy.
As we go about our daily lives, let us remember the lessons of this poem. Let us take a moment to notice the people around us, to appreciate their struggles and their joys. Let us recognize the ghosts and the dreams that haunt us, and let us find solace in the knowledge that we are all part of something greater than ourselves.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Passers-By: A Masterpiece of Carl Sandburg
Carl Sandburg, the renowned American poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. His poems are a reflection of his life experiences, and they often depict the struggles of the working class. One of his most celebrated works is the poem "Passers-By," which was published in 1916. This poem is a beautiful portrayal of the human experience, and it captures the essence of life in a bustling city. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this masterpiece and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
The poem "Passers-By" is a short but powerful piece that captures the essence of urban life. It is a snapshot of a moment in time, and it depicts the hustle and bustle of a busy city street. The poem begins with the speaker observing the people passing by on the street. He describes them as "faces in the crowd" and notes that they are all going about their business, oblivious to the world around them. The speaker is struck by the anonymity of these people and wonders about their lives and their stories.
The theme of anonymity is a prevalent one in this poem. The speaker is struck by the fact that these people are all strangers to him, and he knows nothing about them. He wonders about their lives, their hopes, and their dreams. This theme is further reinforced by the use of the word "passers-by" in the title of the poem. This term implies that these people are merely passing through, and they have no connection to the speaker or to each other.
The imagery in this poem is also noteworthy. Sandburg uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of the city street. He describes the people as "faces in the crowd," which creates a sense of anonymity and detachment. He also notes that the street is "wet with rain," which adds to the overall mood of the poem. The rain is a symbol of sadness and melancholy, and it creates a sense of isolation and loneliness.
Another important theme in this poem is the idea of time. The speaker notes that the people passing by are all "going somewhere," and he wonders where they are headed. This theme is further reinforced by the use of the word "passing" in the title of the poem. This term implies that time is fleeting, and the people are merely passing through. The speaker is struck by the transience of life and the fact that everything is constantly changing.
The poem also contains several symbols that add to its overall meaning. The rain, as mentioned earlier, is a symbol of sadness and melancholy. The speaker notes that the rain is "dripping and slowly dropping" from the eaves, which creates a sense of sadness and despair. The use of the word "slowly" also implies that time is passing slowly, which adds to the overall mood of the poem.
The people passing by are also a symbol in this poem. They represent the transience of life and the fact that everything is constantly changing. The speaker notes that these people are all going somewhere, but he doesn't know where. This symbolizes the fact that life is a journey, and we are all headed somewhere, but we don't know where that is.
The language used in this poem is simple yet powerful. Sandburg uses short, concise sentences to create a sense of urgency and immediacy. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Sandburg to experiment with the structure and rhythm of the poem. The use of repetition is also noteworthy. Sandburg repeats the phrase "faces in the crowd" several times throughout the poem, which creates a sense of unity and continuity.
In conclusion, "Passers-By" is a masterpiece of American poetry. It captures the essence of urban life and the transience of human existence. The poem is a reflection of Sandburg's own experiences and his observations of the world around him. The themes of anonymity, time, and transience are all prevalent in this poem, and they are reinforced by the use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism. Sandburg's use of language is simple yet powerful, and the poem is a testament to his skill as a poet.
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