Let a joy keep you.
Reach out your hands
And take it when it runs by,
As the Apache dancer
Clutches his woman.
I have seen them
Live long and laugh loud,
Sent on singing, singing,
Smashed to the heart
Under the ribs
With a terrible love.
Joy always,
Joy everywhere–
Let joy kill you!
Keep away from the little deaths.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Carl Sandburg's poem Joy

3 Comments

  1. ian says:

    so good

  2. joy Homewood says:

    very cool….definetely something to remember throughout life

  3. Tatiana says:

    This poem is very strong. How an Apache grabs on to his wife to dance with so much joy.

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