from
THE PEOPLE, YES
—Carl Sandburg
A father sees a son nearing manhood.
What shall he tell that son?
"Life is hard; be steel; be a rock."
And this might stand him for the storms
and serve hiim for humdrum and monotony
and guide him amid sudden betrayals
and tighten him for slack moments.
"Life is a soft loam; be gentle; go easy."
And this too might serve him.
Brutes have been gentled where lashes failed.
The growth of a frail flower in a path up
has sometimes shattered and split a rock.
A tough will counts. So does desire.
So does a rich soft wanting.
Without rich wanting nothing arrives.
___________________
CHOOSE
—Carl Sandburg
The single clenched fist lifted and ready,
or the open asking hand held out and waiting.
Choose:
For we meet by one or the other.___________________
—Medusa