After Canticle of the Sun by St. Francis of Assisi

And first my lord Brother Sun
who hears & lights & toys
with shadow shapes that almost say
I’m here I disappear
until the dark slides in.

He shows
what only Sister Moon
& he can hide: earthshine.

But Sister Moon and Stars tonight
leave nebula between the moon
& me,
between the stars & you, just
wish for mercy, eyes to see
deep in to what you know,
a kind of private truth, honest,
regret for what was meant as joke.

Thank you Brothers Wind and Air
for sun-warm blackberries on still-warm vines,
& Sister Water for sips of just-squeezed
orange, Brother Fire for glowing
embers to stave off winter’s bitter.

O and Sister Earth, our Mother.
Sees past soil-creased hands
& fingernails, she feeds & trusts,
sees new beginnings even in winter,
knows shriveled leaves will
turn to carrot’s feathered tops.
Our Mother sees through Sister Death.
Through end & ending’s stop.

NOTE:
Canticle of the Sun, by St. Francis of Assisi

And first my lord Brother Sun,
through Sister Moon and Stars;
through Brothers Wind and Air,
through Sister Water
through Brother Fire,
through Sister Earth, our mother,
through Sister Death,

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