| Carl Sandburg (1878–1967). Smoke and Steel. 1922. |
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| II. People Who Must |
| 25. Blue Maroons |
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| “YOU slut,” he flung at her. | |
| It was more than a hundred times | |
| He had thrown it into her face | |
| And by this time it meant nothing to her. | |
| She said to herself upstairs sweeping, | 5 |
| “Clocks are to tell time with, pitchers | |
| Hold milk, spoons dip out gravy, and a | |
| Coffee pot keeps the respect of those | |
| Who drink coffee—I am a woman whose | |
| Husband gives her a kiss once for ten | 10 |
| Times he throws it in my face, ‘You slut.’ | |
| If I go to a small town and him along | |
| Or if I go to a big city and him along. | |
| What of it? Am I better off?” She swept | |
| The upstairs and came downstairs to fix | 15 |
| Dinner for the family. | |
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