Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE INVADERS, by DOUGLAS MALLOCH Poet's Biography First Line: Through dim mysterious, darkened halls Last Line: You cannot keep the children out. Subject(s): Children; Family Life; Childhood; Relatives | ||||||||
Through dim, mysterious, darkened halls Their shadows creep along the walls; Their creaking footsteps on the stair Give warning they are everywhere; No barrier can long endure, No latch is safe, no door secure; However you may try to hide, They'll search and find you, far and wide, And burst upon you with a shout -- You cannot keep the children out. Put up the book, lay down the pen: The young invaders come again To storm your study, climb your knee, However busy you may be, However busy think you are -- The young invaders from afar Have other things for you to do That really are important, too, Some fun you ought to be about -- You cannot keep the children out. And if it be a door you close, That slowly opens to a nose, And then an eye, and then a head, And then a child, as I have said -- Or if it be your heart you try To shut with little children by, Yes, if you try to shut its door, Love laughs at locksmiths evermore, And children's love the most, no doubt -- You cannot keep the children out. Though other men we learn to hate, Shut in our soul, and lock our gate, Before the children's merry call The walls of Jericho shall fall. Though heaven may seem shut to us, Perhaps we shall attain it thus: Perhaps a baby's lisping pray'r Shall swing the portals for us there, And God forgive our hate and doubt -- You cannot keep the children out. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MY AUNT ELLA MAE by MICHAEL S. HARPER THE GOLDEN SHOVEL by TERRANCE HAYES LIZARDS AND SNAKES by ANTHONY HECHT THE BOOK OF A THOUSAND EYES: I LOVE by LYN HEJINIAN CHILD ON THE MARSH by ANDREW HUDGINS MY MOTHER'S HANDS by ANDREW HUDGINS PLAYING DEAD by ANDREW HUDGINS THE GLASS HAMMER by ANDREW HUDGINS INSECT LIFE OF FLORIDA by LYNDA HULL A DIFFERENT WAY by DOUGLAS MALLOCH |
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