February 18, 2004
A HELL OF A TOWN
Jessica Hopper:
I was over at a friend's house tonight, eating chocolate bread and watching basketball, talking about how Chicago is the sort of city, once you turn yrself over to it, it is yours forever back. Pulled Sandburg off the shelf, and got the same from him. (On the cover, his picture: so stern with that great, severe middle-part in his greasy mop!) Glad to see nothing at all has changed here since back when everyone shoveled coal for a living. "They tell me you are wicked and I believe them" might be the new greatest pick up line, if I ever become single again.
Carl Sandburg:
They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I have seen your painted women under the gas lamps luring the farm boys.
And they tell me you are crooked and I answer: Yes, it is true I have seen the gunman kill and go free to kill again.
And they tell me you are brutal and my reply is: On the faces of women and children I have seen the marks of wanton hunger.
And having answered so I turn once more to those who sneer at this my city, and I give them back the sneer and say to them:
Come and show me another city with lifted head singing so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning.
Posted by Sasha at February 18, 2004 08:13 AM | TrackBack