14. Bas-Relief. IV. Playthings of the Wind. Sandburg, Carl. 1920. Smoke and Steel

Carl Sandburg (1878–1967). Smoke and Steel. 1922.

IV. Playthings of the Wind

14. Bas-Relief

FIVE geese deploy mysteriously.
Onward proudly with flagstaffs,
Hearses with silver bugles,
Bushels of plum-blossoms dropping
For ten mystic web-feet—	5
Each his own drum-major,
Each charged with the honor
Of the ancient goose nation,
Each with a nose-length surpassing
The nose-lengths of rival nations.	10
Somberly, slowly, unimpeachably,
Five geese deploy mysteriously.