Chicago by Carl Sandburg (American poet)
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Hog Butcher for the world,
Tool Maker, Satcker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler;
Stormy, husky, brawling,
City of the Big Shoulders.
They tell me, you are wicked and I believe them, for I have seen your
Painted women under the gas lamps luring the farm boys.
And they tell me you are cooked and I answer: yes, it is true I have
Seen the gunman kill and go free to kill again.
And they tell me you are brutal and my reply is: on the facts of
Women and children I have seen the marks of wanton hunger.
And having answers so I turn once more to those who sneer at this my city, and I give them back the sneer and to say to them.
Come and show me another City with lifted head singing
So proud to be alive and coarse and a strong and cunning.
Flinging, magnetic curses admit the toil of pilling job on job, here is a tall bold slugger set vived against the little soft cities;
Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action, cunning as savage
Pitted against the wilderness,
Bare headed shovelling, Wrecking planning,
Building, breaking, rebuilding,
Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with white teeth,
Under the terrible burden of destiny, laughing as a young man laughs,
Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs, who has never lost a battle,
Breaking and laughing at under his wrist. is the pulse and under his ribs, the heart of the people, laughing.
Laughing the stormy, husky brawling laughter the of youth, half naked,
Sweating, proud to be Hog Butcher for the Word,
Tool maker, stacker of wheat
Player with Rail roads and freight Handler to the Nation.
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