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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
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.
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THE SILVER TRADE by ARTHUR SZE
SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, WAS CRUCIFIED, DEAD, AND BURIED by CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER