To Beachey
To Beachey - context Summary
Tribute After Beacheys Death
Written as a tribute to stunt aviator Lincoln Beachey after his death, this short poem appears in Sandburg's 1916 Chicago Poems. It frames the pilot as a lone, skilled figure—a "man-bird"—whose daring and affection for the sky meet with a compassionate plea to the wings. The piece commemorates public fascination with early flight while mourning a fallen daredevil in concise, imagistic lines.
Read Complete AnalysesRiding against the east, A veering, steady shadow Purrs the motor-call Of the man-bird Ready with the death-laughter In his throat And in his heart always The love of the big blue beyond. Only a man, A far fleck of shadow on the east Sitting at ease With his hands on a wheel And around him the large gray wings. Hold him, great soft wings, Keep and deal kindly, O wings, With the cool, calm shadow at the wheel.
1912
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