Chicago Poet / Carl Sandburg

Chicago Poet


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.