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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI; OCTOBER 4, 1943, by MARY WINTER WERE
First Line: You walked the fields of italy
Last Line: Your own incomparable land.
Subject(s): Francis Assisi, Saint (1181-1226); Italy - World War Ii; Saints
First Line: You walked the fields of italy
Last Line: Your own incomparable land.
Subject(s): Francis Assisi, Saint (1181-1226); Italy - World War Ii; Saints
You walked the fields of Italy
Your naked feet with peace were shod;
You carried wild flowers in your hands
And in your heart you carried God.
Your bed was tangled leaves and grass,
At times a thorn would pierce your side;
And with you for companion
Walked Poverty, your Lady-Bride.
Through the wide golden Umbrian plains
You sought the Timeless and the Still,
And in your timeless, mystic world
You found and loved the Perfect Will ...
Come back great Saint to Italy
Your land to-day in ashes lies;
Not ashes of humility
That claimed you 'neath Assisian skies.
Ashes of lust and greed and hate
A traitor-hand to-day has flung
About your paths, and where you sang
Your canticles a dirge is sung.
Come back O Little Saint of Love
With Holy Michael wield the sword
Of God, till Satan be cast down
To hell; till reigns the Living Word—
Come, Francis of the burning heart
The burning feet, the burning hand;
Burn clean through sacrificial fires
Your own incomparable land.
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