| Jessie B. Rittenhouse, ed. (1869–1948). The Second Book of Modern Verse. 1922. |
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| Prayer of a Soldier in France |
| | | Joyce Kilmer (1886–1918) |
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| MY shoulders ache beneath my pack | |
| (Lie easier, Cross, upon His back). | |
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| I march with feet that burn and smart | |
| (Tread, Holy Feet, upon my heart). | |
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| Men shout at me who may not speak | 5 |
| (They scourged Thy back and smote Thy cheek). | |
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| I may not lift a hand to clear | |
| My eyes of salty drops that sear. | |
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| (Then shall my fickle soul forget | |
| Thy Agony of Bloody Sweat?) | 10 |
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| My rifle hand is stiff and numb | |
| (From Thy pierced palm red rivers come). | |
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| Lord, Thou didst suffer more for me | |
| Than all the hosts of land and sea. | |
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| So let me render back again | 15 |
| This millionth of Thy gift. Amen. | |
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