Chicago, by Carl Sandburg

Hog Butcher for The World, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler.
Stormy, Husky, Brawling, City of Big Shoulders.
They tell me that you are wicked, and I believe them, for I have seen your painted women under gaslight luring farm boys.
And they tell me that you are crocked, and I answer, yes, it is true that I have seen the gunmen kill and go free again.
And they tell me you are brutal, and my reply is: on the faces of the women and children I have seen the marks of wanton hunger.
And having answered I turn once more to those who sneer at this my city, and I give them back my city and I say to them:
Come and show me another city with head lifted saying so proud to be alive, and course, and strong, and cunning.
Flinging majestic curses amid the toil of piling job on job here is a tall bold slugger set vivid against the little soft cities.
Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action, cunning as a savage pitted against the wilderness,

Bareheaded, Shoveling, Wrecking, Planning, Building, Breaking, Rebuilding.

Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth laughing with white teeth, under the terrible burden of destiny
Laughing as a young man laughs,
Laughing even as an ignorant fighter who has never lost a battle,
Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse and under his ribs the heart of the people, laughing!

Laughing at the stormy husky brawling laughter or youth, half naked, sweating,
Proud to be Hog Butcher Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player With Railroads,
And Freight Handler to the Nation.