| Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912–22. | | | | Prayer | | By Clifford Franklin Gessler |
| | From “The Villager”
O THOU elemental | |
| Rain, sun, and body of the quick warm earth: | |
| Hear these words from the cells of thy blood, | |
| Multitudinous, various! | |
| |
| Let the waters at the dim roots of the grass be sweet, | 5 |
| And the milk be abundant in the breasts of time— | |
| Yet a little while, till the pearl-gray banners of smoke | |
| Be dissolved, and the flowing of rivulets be but a distant murmur | |
| In the shout and the far white splendor of thy coming. | |
| |
| Let thy kindness be as a wide white blanket covering all | 10 |
| The brave inglorious futile race of men | |
| Who lift tired eyes ever to sad stars | |
| More desolate | |
| Than the wind-harrowed wastes of ocean, | |
| Whence comes no answer. | 15 |
| And after our futile striving, give us | |
| Peace. | | | | |
|
|
