America and the World War

I prayed for peace; God, answering my prayer, Sent down a grievous plague on humankind, A black and tumorous plague that softly slew Till nations and their armies were no more— And there was perfect peace ... But I awoke, wroth with high God and prayer.
I prayed for peace; God, answering my prayer, Decreed the Truce of Life:—Wings in the sky Fluttered and fell; the quick, bright ocean things Sank to the ooze; the footprints in the woods Vanished; the freed brute from the abattoir Starved on green pastures; and within the blood The death-work at the root of living ceased; And men gnawed clods and stones, blasphemed and died— And there was perfect peace ... But I awoke, wroth with high God and prayer.