America Quote by Jack Gilbert
“I would say Pittsburgh softly each time before throwing him up. Whisper Pittsburgh with my mouth against the tiny ear and throw him higher. Pittsburgh and happiness high up. The only way to leave even the smallest trace. So that all his life her son would feel gladness unaccountably when anyone spoke of the ruined city of steel in America. Each time almost remembering something maybe important that got lost.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “Pittsburgh” (published in 1975)
The speaker wishes to lift a city’s memory, hoping future generations feel its lost joy.
In simple terms: Preserve memory through love.
Key Takeaway
Cherish and honor forgotten places.
Themes
memory
legacy
hope
Mood
nostalgic
poetic
Type
poetic
reflective
When to use this quote
- family storytelling
- public memorials
- urban revitalization
Key Concepts
nostalgia
urban decay
intergenerational love
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal rituals keep history alive?
- How does naming a place affect its future?
A Different Perspective
Memory can fade despite effort.
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
