The Harbor
The Harbor - context Summary
Chicago Poems, 1916
This short poem contrasts cramped, poverty-stricken city life with a sudden, liberating view of Lake Michigan. Sandburg moves from images of huddled tenements and hungry women to a bright lakeshore alive with waves and gulls. The abrupt shift foregrounds escape and openness against urban confinement, reflecting the poet’s experience observing Chicago and its margins while celebrating the natural expanse at the city’s edge.
Read Complete AnalysesPassing through huddled and ugly walls By doorways where women Looked from their hunger-deep eyes, Haunted with shadows of hunger-hands, Out from the huddled and ugly walls, I came sudden, at the city's edge, On a blue burst of lake, Long lake waves breaking under the sun On a spray-flung curve of shore; And a fluttering storm of gulls, Masses of great gray wings And flying white bellies Veering and wheeling free in the open.
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