Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HOLLY ON THE WALL, by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HOLLY ON THE WALL, by                 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.





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