The Early Poetry of Carl Sandburg: Smoke and Steel

Smoke and Steel, Carl Sandburg's third and most extensive poetry collection, explores the human experience amid struggle and adversity, reflecting on essential needs like food, clothing, and shelter, as well as deeper desires for love, justice, and equality. While the title alludes to the steel industry of early 20th-century America, Sandburg's verses encompass a wide range of themes, including subtly expressed eroticism and a deep appreciation for beauty in all forms. This collection showcases Sandburg's mastery as an American poet at the height of his craft, while also inviting listeners to confront the historical context of some of his language.