Poems of Optimism/The men-made gods

Said the Kaiser’s god to the god of the Czar: ‘Hark, hark, how my people pray. Their faith, methinks, is greater by far Than all the faiths of the others are; They know I will help them slay.’

Said the god of the Czar: ‘My people call In a medley of tongues; they know I will lend my strength to them one and all. Wherever they fight their foes shall fall Like grass where the mowers go.’

Then the god of the Gauls spoke out of a cloud To the god of the King nearby: ‘Our people pray, tho’ they pray not loud; They ask for courage to slaughter a crowd, And to laugh, tho’ themselves may die.’

And far out into the heart of Space Where a lonely pathway crept, Up over the stars, to a secret place, Where no light shone but the light of His face, Christ covered His eyes and wept.