Little women, little men, <br />Childhood never comes again. <br />Live it gaily while you may; <br />Give your baby souls to play; <br />March to sound of stick and pan, <br />In your paper hats, and tramp <br />just as bravely as you can <br />To your pleasant little camp. <br />Wooden sword and wooden gun <br />Make a battle splendid fun. <br />Fine the victories you win <br />Dimpled cheek and dimpled chin. <br />Little women, little men, <br />Hearts are light when years are ten; <br />Eyes are bright and cheeks are red <br />When life's cares lie all ahead. <br />Drums make merry music when <br />They are leading children out; <br />Trumpet calls are cheerful then, <br />Glorious is the battle shout. <br />Little soldiers, single file, <br />Uniformed in grin and smile, <br />Conquer every foe they meet <br />Up and down the gentle street. <br />Little women, little men, <br />Would that youth could come again! <br />Would that I might fall in line <br />As a little boy of nine, <br />But with broomstick for a gun, <br />And with paper hat that I <br />Bravely wore back there for fun, <br />Never more may I defy <br />Foes that deep in ambush kneel— <br />Now my warfare's grim and real. <br />I that once was brave and bold, <br />Now am battered, bruised and old. <br />Little women, little men, <br />Planning to attack my den, <br />Little do you know the joy <br />That you give a worn-out boy <br />As he hears your gentle feet <br />Pitter-patting in the hall; <br />Gladly does he wait to meet <br />Conquest by a troop so small. <br />Dimpled cheek and dimpled chin, <br />You have but to smile to win. <br />Come and take him where he stays <br />Dreaming of his by-gone days.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-little-army/
