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

75. Jaws

SEVEN nations stood with their hands on the jaws of death.

It was the first week in August, Nineteen Hundred Fourteen.

I was listening, you were listening, the whole world was listening,

And all of us heard a Voice murmuring:

“I am the way and the light,

He that believeth on me

Shall not perish

But shall have everlasting life.”

Seven nations listening heard the Voice and answered:

“O Hell!”

The jaws of death began clicking and they go on clicking.

“O Hell!”