Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE HOLLY ON THE WALL, by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES Poet Analysis First Line: Play, little children, one and all Last Line: For holly, holly on the wall. Alternate Author Name(s): Davies, W. H. Subject(s): Christmas; Holly; Play; Nativity, The | ||||||||
Play, little children, one and all, For holly, holly on the wall. You do not know that millions are This moment in a deadly war; Millions of men whose Christmas bells Are guns' reports and bursting shells; Whose holly berries, made of lead, Take human blood to stain them red; Whose leaves are swords, and bayonets too, To pierce their fellow-mortals through. For now the war is here, and men -- Like cats that stretch their bodies when The light has gone and darkness comes -- Have armed and left their peaceful homes: But men will be, when there's no war, As gentle as you children are. Play, little children, one and all, For holly, holly on the wall. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DIFFERENT VIEWS; A CHRISMAS DUET by JOSEPH ASHBY-STERRY AN UNMERRY CHRISTMAS by AMBROSE BIERCE CHRISTMAS IN CHINATOWN by AUGUST KLEINZAHLER CHRISTMAS TREE by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS ISAIAH'S COAL by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS SOUNDS OF THE RESURRECTED DEAD MAN'S FOOTSTEPS (#3): 1. BEAST, PEACH.. by MARVIN BELL A BIRD'S ANGER by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES |
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