Stories of Kindness from Around the World

In honor of the feast of St. Francis, a poem offering :))

He stands silent still
right hand clutching crucifix
a bible in the left
bird rests on his shoulder
blessing blessing blessing eternally blessing
all that's held in his concrete gaze.
Bearded iris
shades of lavender / sun yellow / vestment white
open day by day standing straight
in the rain soaked growing earth.
Beneath his weathered serene smile
feathery moonbeam coreopsis
spread their delicate foliage
reaching into the recently planted
mini-dahlias
butterfly attracting heliotrope
tiny zinnia seedlings V-lined in the back
all meeting at the shepherd's hook.
Patron saint of animals
gentle giving soul graces
the two poppies that maybe
just might burst ORANGE
in a few days.
Even some stray daises have found their way.
Already the newest member delphinium
struggles cobalt blue
building tender bell towers wanting to join
the exaltation the hallelujahs
arias of aliveness
will all the choir in the
St. Francis garden.
mj