----Source: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 11 Aug. 1932

MY PRAYER

The children all have gone to bed, Ma’s nodding in her chair; I have some thoughts I want to write

That seems to be my share of all the work there is to do in this, our blessed earth, but when our lights are growing dim I wonder ‘bout their worth.

It seems to me in thoughtful hours these verses should not live, It seems that there’s more useful work that I should like to give

More things that I could really do, More things that are worthwhile; It seems that somewhere I could find Some way to make a smile

Some way to ease a brother’s load, but I have south in vain

My verses seem to lack the worth to ease a brother’s pain

But inasmuch as I must write, God grant I do my best

To write those things that good men write that stand my children’s test.

Franklin Lee Stevenson.