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June 2026Subscribe
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June 2026Poetry May2026 cover RGB
Poetry Foundation

Silent, Silent Night

By William Blake
Silent Silent Night
Quench the holy light
Of thy torches bright 

For possessd of Day
Thousand spirits stray
That sweet joys betray 

Why should joys be sweet
Used with deceit
Nor with sorrows meet 

But an honest joy
Does itself destroy
For a harlot coy 

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