Carl Sandburg

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!”
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