Religion

Holiness

by John Drinkwater 1882–1937

From Poems 1908-1919

Religion

If all the carts were painted gay,
And all the streets swept clean,
And all the children came to play
By hollyhocks, with green
Grasses to grow between,

If all the houses looked as though
Some heart were in their stones,
If all the people that we know
Were dressed in scarlet gowns,
With feathers in their crowns,

I think this gaiety would make
A spiritual land.
I think that holiness would take
This laughter by the hand,
Till both should understand.

MLA

Drinkwater, John. “Holiness.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/drinkwater/16/.

Chicago

Drinkwater, John. “Holiness.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/drinkwater/16/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by John Drinkwater