Carl Sandburg’s “Margaret” moves from a lakeside morning into a direct, almost wondering address to a child. The opening lines give us birds, beating wings, and a “flinging reckless hum” above rocks and a blue pool where shadows drift lazily. There’s energy and noise, but also calm water and slow shadows. Then the speaker turns to Margaret—or the child—and says her blue eyes held “many little wild wishes,” as eager as the morning itself. The poem links the child’s spirit to the natural scene: both feel fresh, restless, full of life, and a little untamed. The mood is bright and affectionate, with a hint of awe at that early, reckless energy. In few words, it celebrates youth and nature waking up together.
Margaret — Summary
Many birds and the beating of wings Make a flinging reckless hum In the early morning at the rocks Above the blue pool Where the gray shadows swim lazy.
In your blue eyes, O reckless child, I saw today many little wild wishes, Eager as the great morning.