Child
Child - meaning Summary
Childhood Questions, Adult Silence
Sandburg’s short poem presents a child—likened to Christ—whose clear, searching questions discover truths "under running water" and in nature. The child’s curiosity contrasts with the elders, who offer no answers; they feel only love. The poem frames innocence and spiritual inquiry as perceptive and solitary, while adult response is mute and affectionate rather than instructive.
Read Complete AnalysesThe young child, Christ, is straight and wise And asks questions of the old men, questions Found under running water for all children And found under shadows thrown on still waters By tall trees looking downward, old and gnarled. Found to the eyes of children alone, untold, Singing a low song in the loneliness. And the young child, Christ, goes on asking And the old men answer nothing and only know love For the young child. Christ, straight and wise.
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