Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Carl Sandburg (1878–1967). Chicago Poems. 1916.

146. Gypsy

I ASKED a gypsy pal

To imitate an old image

And speak old wisdom.

She drew in her chin,

Made her neck and head

The top piece of a Nile obelisk

and said:

Snatch off the gag from thy mouth, child,

And be free to keep silence.

Tell no man anything for no man listens,

Yet hold thy lips ready to speak.