Within Octave of Francis, Morning Praise

Brother sun, yes, over Penobscot Bay
Through morning mist on Ragged Mountain

Sister moon, yes, descending beyond west peak
Radiant colors this early October walking meditation

Mother earth, yes, receiving every step of all of us
Chipmunk, bird, barking dogs and raking worker

(Turning through wooded path, prayer beads at fingers –
Asking, “where is father?” – sound of leaves and acorn falling)

Father creator, yes, disappeared within creation, there but
Not there visible, only what he makes visible to inner sight

Only what is made sound by inner hearing, there he is
Within mother earth, sister moon, brother sun, within each and all

Gone beyond external meander, gone beyond explanation – now
Heaven is where the father is, heaven is what the father is – this

Is what is longed for, this is what is praise-worthy. This, now, here –
Walking with my family every step of the way, not-knowing any other.

 (wfh, 5oct01)