by Martin Heflin

Created on: November 03, 2009

St. Francis Among the Weeds

An old man sits by a curb waiting for a ride.

In starched blue shirt and back

he leans on his cane

turning his hand left, then right.

St. Francis among the weeds.

A young woman in a rest stop stall

Delivers stillborn to a Hefty sack.

Drawn and pale she emerges,

Looks left, then right.

St. Francis among the weeds.

A small boy idly changes the channel

Alone in the house waiting for his Mom.

He needs a bath, but doesn't know

Rolling on the floor to the left, then right.

St. Francis among the weeds.

Who shall tend this garden

To help the good fruit grow?

Brothers keepers are we all

Or simply of the seed we sow?

The capuced statue with shouldered bird

Gazes kindly through the years.

Symbol of Christian love

On this journey through waves of tears.

Learn more about this author, Martin Heflin.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.