Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


UNDER by CARL SANDBURG

Poet Analysis

First Line: I AM THE UNDERTOW
Last Line: TO-MORROW.

I

I AM the undertow
Washing tides of power
Battering the pillars
Under your things of high law.

II

I am a sleepless
Slowfaring eater,
Maker of rust and rot
In your bastioned fastenings,
Caissons deep.

III

I am the Law
Older than you
And your builders proud.

I am deaf
In all days
Whether you
Say "Yes" or "No".

I am the crumbler:
To-morrow.



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