The poet has conducted in the image of merry children “spilling out of their homes to present a disparity.
The merry children coming out of their residence in large numbers present an image of contentment and spontaneous overview of life.
This image is in stark disparity to the “dozing” old mother, whose “ashen” face looks lifeless and pale like a corpse.
She is an image of aging, decay and passivity. The contrast of the two images enhances the poetic effect.
Final Answer:- In this poem the poet has brought in the image of merry children ‘ spilling out of their homes’ to present a contrast. The merry children coming out of their homes in large numbers present an image of happiness and spontaneous overflow of life.