Carl Sandburg

Stars, Songs, Faces

Stars, Songs, Faces - meaning Summary

Letting Go as Practice

The poem contrasts human desire to gather and preserve precious things—stars, songs, faces, years—with the necessary act of release. It presents holding on as a temporary impulse and letting go as a deliberate, liberating gesture. The repeated admonition to "loosen your hands" frames farewell as an essential, calm practice of acceptance rather than loss. The tone is concise and meditative, urging readers to accept impermanence and move on.

Read Complete Analyses

Gather the stars if you wish it so. Gather the songs and keep them. Gather the faces of women. Gather for keeping years and years. And then . . . Loosen your hands, let go and say good-by. Let the stars and songs go. Let the faces and years go. Loosen your hands and say good-by.

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