| Carl Sandburg (1878–1967). Chicago Poems. 1916. |
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| 75. Jaws |
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| 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, | 5 |
| He that believeth on me | |
| Shall not perish | |
| But shall have everlasting life.” | |
| Seven nations listening heard the Voice and answered: | |
| “O Hell!” | 10 |
| The jaws of death began clicking and they go on clicking. | |
| “O Hell!” | |
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