Introduction:

Carl August Sandburg was an American poet, writer and editor He was more than the voice of America. He was more that of the poet of its strength and genius.

Life is hard:

“Life is hard: be steel, be a rock.

Life is a soft loam: be gentle, go easy.”

The poet makes the reader of the poem to understand the way of life. The poet sees his son nearing manhood. It is a dangerous period. Life is not soft but hard. The father expects his son to be steel and to be a rock to face storms (challenges in life) and to overcome humdrum monotony (boring routine in life). It can guide him among sudden betrayals (false hood). It can prepare (tighten him to be active in slack movements (slow progress). The people those who are Brutus (hard hearted and unkind) can be gentled where lashes (whips) failed.

Need of money:

“The growth of a frail (weak), flower can split a rock Strong will power is very Important in life. We should have deep desire to achieve in life, Without wealth nothing artives. So we should wish to become wealthy.

Too much money:

Money is very essential. We should control it. Money should not control us. People who want too much money are already dead before burial Though it is not good it is important for the survival.

Value of time:

“Tell him,

Time as a stuff can be wasted”

Time for leisure is not a waste. A man can be a fool at time. He need not feel ashamed of this foolishness. He should, learn a good lesson from each of his follies (mistakes). He should not repeat the same folly in his life.

Lies and white lies:

The boy must have the full understanding of the world which is full of fools. Be alone to improve and understand himself. Avoid telling lies and white lies (lies told to avoid hurting one’s feeling.)

Be different from others:

“Solitude is creative if he is strong

Final decisions are made in silent rooms”

Be different from others should come in a natural way.

Conclusion:

The boy may spend some of his time in a lazy manner. It will help him to seek his deeper motives (creative thinking). He can understand the purpose of his birth. He can understand the greatness of Shakespeare Wright brothers, Pavlov Micheal Faraday. A boy with such uncontrolled imagination can change the whole world.