October 5, 2011

Il Poverello


Where is he now, who leaving wealth behind
grew so bold in poverty
that he threw off his clothes before the bishop
and stood naked in the square?

The most inward and loving of all,
he came forth like a new beginning,
the brown-robed brother of your nightingales,
with his wonder and good will
and delight in Earth.

The Book of Hours III, 33

3 comments:

  1. I'll take this one, naked, brown-soiled assent and ascent into life over all the popes of Heaven combined. Bloom on, bro. -- Brendan

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  2. Yeah, Brendan, and delight in earth, bro, practice wonder and good will all over.

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  3. To grow "bold in poverty." Sadly, how few of us could do this. Perhaps that's why we hold St. Francis in such adoration.

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"Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night."

~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Go ahead, bloom recklessly!