Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CHICAGO POET by CARL SANDBURG

Poet Analysis

First Line: I SALUTED A NOBODY
Last Line: I LOSE ALL -- BUT NOT HIM.

I SALUTED a nobody.
I saw him in a looking-glass.
He smiled -- so did I.
He crumpled the skin on his forehead,
frowning -- so did I.
Everything I did he did.
I said, "Hello, I know you."
And I was a liar to say so.

Ah, this looking-glass man!
Liar, fool, dreamer, play-actor,
Soldier, dusty drinker of dust --
Ah! he will go with me
Down the dark stairway
When nobody else is looking,
When everybody else is gone.

He locks his elbow in mine,
I lose all -- but not him.




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