The Box

From John Denver "Poems, Prayers, and Promises" Album

Long, long ago, in the land of Hush-a-bye 'round about the wonders days of Yore.

There came across a sort of box, bound up with chains and locked with locks.

And labeled, "Kindly do not touch. It's war." 

A 'cree was issued 'round about And all with a flourish and a shout

And a gaily colored mascot tripping lively on before,

"Don't fiddle with this deadly box Or break the chains or pick the locks,

And please don't ever play about with war."

Well, the children understood. Children happen to be good

They were just as good around the time of Yore.

They never tried to pick the locks or break into that deadly box.

They never tried to play about with war.

Mommies didn't either.

Sisters, Aunt's, Grannies neither.

For they were quiet, sweet, and pretty

in those wondrous days of Yore.

But someone did, someone battered in the lid.

And spilled the insides out across the floor.

A sort of bouncy bumpy ball, Made of of guns, and flags,

and tears and horror and death that goes with war. 

It bounced right out and went bashing all about,

bumping into everything in store.

And what is sad and most unfair, is that it didn't really seem to care,

much who it bumped, or why, or what, or for. 

It bumped the children mainly.

And I'll tell you this quite plainly.

It bumps them everyday, and more, and more.

And leaves them dead and burned and dying,

Thousands of them sick and crying.

'Cause when it bumps, it is really very sore. 

Now, there's a way to stop the ball. It isn't difficult at all.

All it takes is wisdom. And I'm absolutely sure,

that we could get it back into the box,

and bind the chains, and lock the locks.

But no one seems to want to save the children any more.

 

Well, that's the way it all appears,

'cause it's been bouncing 'round for years and years,

in spite of all that wisdom whiz

since those wondrous days of Yore.

From the time they came across the box,

bound up with chains and locked with locks,

And labeled, "Kindly do not touch. It's war."

Author's Note

Not my work. I did this from memory so if the exact words are off, please let me know. I will correct it. All if anyone knows the origin or author, I would be glad to have your input.