|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SILVER NAILS, by CARL SANDBURG Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: A man was crucified. He came to the city a stranger Last Line: John silvernail on the statue. Subject(s): Crucifixion; Jesus Christ - Crucifixion | |||
A MAN was crucified. He came to the city a stranger, was accused, and nailed to a cross. He lingered hanging. Laughed at the crowd. "The nails are iron," he said, "You are cheap. In my country when we crucify we use silver nails . . ." So he went jeering. They did not understand him at first. Later they talked about him in changed voices in the saloons, bowling alleys, and churches. It came over them every man is crucified only once in his life and the law of humanity dictates silver nails be used for the job. A statue was erected to him in a public square. Not having gathered his name when he was among them, they wrote him as John Silvernail on the statue. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SOUNDS OF THE RESURRECTED DEAD MAN'S FOOTSTEPS (#3): 2. ANGEL ... by MARVIN BELL CAROL: NEW STYLE by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET THE CROSS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE SILVER TRADE by ARTHUR SZE SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, WAS CRUCIFIED, DEAD, AND BURIED by CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER |
| |