Languages by Carl Sandburg

A reading of "Languages" by Carl Sandburg

THERE are no handles upon a language
Whereby men take hold of it
And mark it with signs for its remembrance.
It is a river, this language,
Once in a thousand years
Breaking a new course
Changing its way to the ocean.
It is mountain effluvia
Moving to valleys
And from nation to nation
Crossing borders and mixing.
Languages die like rivers.
Words wrapped round your tongue today
And broken to shape of thought
Between your teeth and lips speaking
Now and today
Shall be faded hieroglyphics
Ten thousand years from now.
Sing--and singing--remember
Your song dies and changes
And is not here to-morrow
Any more than the wind
Blowing ten thousand years ago.

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[Thereisonlythemoment]

Amazing poem - just love the line "It is a mountain effluvia", comparing the old dying language to a mountain of decaying lava amazing image. Little girl be careful what you say is my most favorite by him. The Word is a mighty force indeed. Great Post.

[Yozanace]

Thanks for sharing this.

[keanghiero]

Nice

5*

All the best

Kean