93. Joy. Sandburg, Carl. 1916. Chicago Poems

Carl Sandburg (1878–1967). Chicago Poems. 1916.

93. Joy


LET a joy keep you.
Reach out your hands
And take it when it runs by,
As the Apache dancer
Clutches his woman.	5
I have seen them
Live long and laugh loud,
Sent on singing, singing,
Smashed to the heart
Under the ribs	10
With a terrible love.
Joy always,
Joy everywhere—
Let joy kill you!
Keep away from the little deaths.	15