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What is the poem Steam Shovel about?

"Steam Shovel" by Carl Sandburg is about a powerful and noisy machine that reshapes the landscape, conveying a sense of awe and human ingenuity.  Here is a summary:

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  1. The poem describes the steam shovel as a "huge", "crouching" machine with a "blinding" light that approaches.
  2. The shovel's actions and surroundings suggest a dynamic, industrial environment as it digs, scoops up dirt, and carries it away.
  3. The poem depicts the industrial might and the steam shovel's relentless digging as it rips and plows through the earth, creating hills and valleys where none existed.
  4. It creates a picture of a "city at night" with its loud noises, red flares, and billowing smoke, emphasizing its transformative influence.
  5. While the steam shovel wields extraordinary power, it remains an object of human creation and control, hinting at the tension between human ingenuity and nature.
  6. Sandburg's imagery and onomatopoeia ("whango", "clang") contribute to the dynamic and almost chaotic energy of the poem, mirroring the machine's relentless work.
  7. Overall, "Steam Shovel" is a celebration of human innovation, industrial progress, and the ability to shape the landscape, capturing the excitement and raw energy of the machine.
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Poetry

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