Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"St. Clare Hears St. Francis" is a poem by Sarah Norcliffe Cleghorn that imagines a conversation between two Catholic saints, St. Clare and St. Francis of Assisi. The poem explores themes of faith, humility, and the search for spiritual meaning. It was first published in The Atlantic Monthly in 1915.

Explanation:

The poem begins with St. Clare hearing a voice in her heart that she recognizes as St. Francis. She questions him about his ascetic lifestyle, asking why he chose to renounce all worldly possessions and live in poverty. St. Francis responds by saying that he did so out of love for God, and that he seeks to live a life of simplicity and humility, free from the distractions of material wealth.

St. Clare then asks St. Francis how she can achieve the same level of spiritual devotion and understanding that he has. St. Francis tells her that the key is to cultivate a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the beauty of the world, as well as a deep love and reverence for God. He encourages her to embrace the simple joys of life, and to find meaning and purpose in the smallest of things.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "St. Clare Hears St. Francis" is written in free verse, with irregular line lengths and no consistent rhyme scheme. This form allows for a more natural and organic expression of the conversation between St. Clare and St. Francis, and creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy.
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery to evoke the beauty and simplicity of St. Francis' worldview. The use of sensory details and nature imagery helps to create a sense of connection between the physical world and the spiritual realm.
• Allusion: The poem alludes to the lives and teachings of St. Clare and St. Francis of Assisi, two prominent figures in Catholic history and spirituality.
• Metaphor: The poem uses the metaphor of a conversation between two saints to explore themes of faith, humility, and spiritual devotion.
• Symbolism: The poverty and simplicity embraced by St. Francis are symbolic of the search for spiritual meaning and the rejection of materialism.

Conclusion:

"St. Clare Hears St. Francis" is a contemplative and introspective poem that explores themes of faith, humility, and the search for spiritual meaning. Through the imagined conversation between St. Clare and St. Francis, the poem encourages the reader to embrace a life of simplicity and gratitude, and to find joy and purpose in the smallest of things.

Poem Snippet:

"Renouncing wealth and earthly goods,

St. Francis found a deeper joy;

His heart was full of love divine,

A treasure that can never cloy."