Pilgrimage Poems - Steps of St Francis (2019)

Steps I Take

I walk the steps of Saints Francis and Clare To gain an insight about this radical pair. We walk their steps; to clarify how to hear (pause)

I walk the steps of Saints Francis and Clare To ponder the graces they did share. We walk their steps to evaluate what is dear (pause)

I walk the steps of Saints Francis and Clare And wonder at what they called dear. We walk their steps; warned don’t compare (pause)

I walk the steps of Saints Francis and Clare Knowing now isn’t their atmosphere. We walk their steps, Franciscan thought to dare (pause)

I walk the steps of Saints Francis and Clare And am challenged as what to wear. We walk their steps to address today’s fear (pause)

I walk the steps of Saints Francis and Clare Pray this will impact my daily living affair. We walk their steps as we breathe Assisi air! (pause)

To us who have come this far their steps to share I write my thought as we pilgrim with each other here And invite us to make a similar prayer; - to

Walk their Steps of Life together, taking care To follow Poverty, Chastity, Obedience and Simplicity, with a dose of good ol’ Kiwi Cheer!!

Stephen Douglas

Wild Colours

Cappella Bentivogil Wild Colours. A valley of colourful beauty, Nestled in among the tall and lofty. The flowers, and grasses have their own Particular beauty and finery of design.

At first there’s the Franciscan building and stream.

But when one pauses and contemplates; The small, unnoticed ones are seen Nestled among the tall and lofty. These wild colours showing Their own fiery beauty

Stephen Douglas

Cappella Bentivogilo, Cortona, Italy Pilgrimage 2019\ © stephen c douglas, 8th May 2019

*A Steady

Step*

I pause and pray, “Give my feet a steady step today” Then I realise I’ve enough nous to use my own sense But then - life is more than a literal One step then the next.

So, I (pause) before I start my day and Pray “Yahweh be my Guide, Tower and Shield” As my fingers Trace the worn edges of my pilgrim Tau

Stephen Douglas

Pilgrim Family

Brick side by side, one placed by an ancient hand ………the next by a newer modern man;……………brick side by side/ laid with skill and care to build a family, ………hand clasps hand, one placed in peace another in love. One old, another young; each hand is laid upon the ………other, to build a family……………………………….brick side by side/ words spoken to each other; one speaks of tales, the other ……….of future plans. Songs of peace and praise they sing, one responds to the ……….other, to build their family…………………………brick side by side

Stephen Douglas