St. Francis endured pain upon pain
but found no one to blame
because he chose not to suffer
but saw everyone as sister and brother.
He embraced the earth’s pain upon pain
and blessed even the birds as the same
lovely creatures of God and
brothers and sisters choosing not to blame
but to embrace them in their essence
and grant them the gift of Christ’s presence.
And so, if we let go of possessing and hoarding
and endure what pain will surely come,
not as false martyrs with pride-filled cavorting,
but with the humility of God’s son,
we will bless the earth and heaven as one —
and so we ever and always pray, Lord Jesus,
Thy, Kingdom Come.