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Lay me on an anvil, O God. Beat me and hammer me into a…

“Lay me on an anvil, O God. Beat me and hammer me into a crowbar. Let me pry loose old walls. Let me lift and loosen old foundations. Lay me on an anvil, O God. Beat me and hammer me into a steel spike. Drive me into the girders that hold a skyscraper together. Take red-hot rivets and fasten me…” quote by Carl Sandburg
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““Lay me on an anvil, O God. Beat me and hammer me into a crowbar. Let me pry loose old walls. Let me lift and loosen old foundations. Lay me on an anvil, O God. Beat me and hammer me into a steel spike. Drive me into the girders that hold a skyscraper together. Take red-hot rivets and fasten me into the central girders. Let me be the great nail holding a skyscraper through blue nights into white stars.””

Carl Sandburg

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Expresses a desire to be transformed and strengthened through hardship for a greater purpose.

In simple terms: Seek strength through trials.

Key Takeaway

Embrace hardship for growth.

Themes

sacrifice transformation purpose

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

poetic metaphorical

When to use this quote

  • personal struggle
  • creative process
  • teamwork
  • building projects

Key Concepts

metaphor spirituality construction

Questions to Reflect On

  • What hardships have shaped you?
  • How can pain become purpose?
A Different Perspective

May romanticize suffering without addressing pain.

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