Give me hunger, pain and want, Shut me out with shame and failure From your doors of gold and fame, Give me your shabbiest, weariest hunger! But leave me a little love.
Carl SandburgRead
Didn't you tie the mittens on her feet (Wednesday Evening's) extra special nice? Yes--she is an extra special nice pigeon. She cries for pity when she wants pity. And she shuts her eyes when she doesn't want to look at you. And if you look deep in her eyes when her eyes are open you will see lights there exactly like the lights on the pastures and the meadows when the mist is drifting on a Wednesday evening just between the twilight and gloaming.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the delicate emotions and beauty found in a moment, illustrated through imagery of nature and affection towards a simple creature.
In this quote, Carl Sandburg presents a tender moment that intertwines the innocence of a childlike figure—represented by the pigeon—with the serene beauty of a Wednesday evening. The imagery evokes a sense of deep emotional connection to nature and the understanding of feelings, showcasing how one can find profound reflections of life and feelings through the simplest things, like a pigeon and the shimmering lights of nature, emphasizing empathy and gentle observation.
Themes
NatureEmpathyEmotionBeautyChildlikeObservation
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about appreciating nature and emotional connections.
More from Carl Sandburg
All quotes →Nothing happens... but first a dream.
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There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud.
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A liar goes in fine clothes, a liar goes in rags, a liar is a liar, clothes or no clothes.
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