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By Carl Sandburg 1878–1967 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.

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Poet Carl Sandburg 1878–1967

POET’S REGION U.S., Midwestern

SCHOOL / PERIOD Modern

Subjects Social Commentaries, Relationships, Friends & Enemies, War & Conflict

Occasions Toasts & Celebrations, Farewells & Good Luck, Gratitude & Apologies

Poetic Terms Free Verse

More about this poem

"Trying to write briefly about Carl Sandburg," said a friend of the poet, "is like trying to picture the Grand Canyon in one black and white snapshot." His range of interests was enumerated by his close friend, Harry Golden, who, in his study of the poet, called Sandburg "the one American writer who distinguished himself in five fields—poetry, history, biography, fiction, and music."

Sandburg composed his poetry primarily in . . .

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