The Singing Girl by Joyce Kilmer

The Singing Girl

by Joyce Kilmer

(For the Rev. Edward F. Garesche, S. J.)

There was a little maiden
In blue and silver drest,
She sang to God in Heaven
And God within her breast.
–
It flooded me with pleasure,
It pierced me like a sword,
When this young maiden sang: “My soul
Doth magnify the Lord.”
–
The stars sing all together
And hear the angels sing,
But they said they had never heard
So beautiful a thing.
–
Saint Mary and Saint Joseph,
And Saint Elizabeth,
Pray for us poets now
And at the hour of death.

Prayer of a Soldier in France by Joyce Kilmer

Prayer of a Soldier in France

By Joyce Kilmer

My shoulders ache beneath my pack

(Lie easier, Cross, upon His back).

–

I march with feet that burn and smart

(Tread, Holy Feet, upon my heart).

–

Men shout at me who may not speak

(They scourged Thy back and smote Thy cheek).

–

I may not lift a hand to clear

My eyes of salty drops that sear.

 –

(Then shall my fickle soul forget

Thy agony of Bloody Sweat?)

 –

My rifle hand is stiff and numb

(From Thy pierced palm red rivers come).

 –

Lord, Thou didst suffer more for me

Than all the hosts of land and sea.

 –

So let me render back again

This millionth of Thy gift. Amen.