Question

fog
the fog comes
on little cat feet.
it sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
by carl sandburg

life
life is but a toy that swings on a bright gold chain
ticking for a little while
to amuse a fascinated infant,
until the keeper, a very old man,
becomes tired of the game
and lets the watch run down.
by naomi long madgett

choose the statement that best compares the meaning of these poems.

1. people are like infants amused by toys.
2. life is short, so live while you can.
3. time is only a shiny distraction.
4. things of this world are fleeting.

Explanation:

• Analyze "Fog": The fog arrives, lingers briefly, then moves on, symbolizing transience.
• Analyze "Life": Life is a toy swinging, amusing an infant (short - lived amusement) and then the old man tires, letting the watch (time) run down. This also shows things are temporary.
• Option 1: Only relates to the "Life" poem's infant part, not the overall comparison.
• Option 2: The poems don't focus on "living while you can", but on transience.
• Option 3: "Time as a shiny distraction" doesn't capture the fog's transience or the overall theme of fleetingness.
• Option 4: Both poems show that things (fog, life's amusement, time in the game) are fleeting.

Answer:

1. Things of this world are fleeting.