Leo in the Cold

barefoot in the snow

two brothers can’t feel their toes

but the brothers smile

and stumble another mile

focused on their task

leo shivers, then he asks:

“Francis do you think

it’s good if our toes turn pink?”

and francis replies

with a glimmer in his eyes

“no brother Leo

for your frozen little toes

are a reminder

there are Many still Poorer!

alas, we cannot

trade ours for the Lepers’ rot

our wealth is a shame

pray: give our health to the Lame!”

leo then inquired

“what more could our God require?

and tell me, Francis,

be there greater joy than this:

if the Lord granted

our prayer of health recanted?”

and francis, he sighed

then after a pause replied:

“if through God’s great grace

we were to heal our whole race

by giving our selves

and our very flesh as a salve

but then being bare

of all possessions and care

we went and asked alms

from another brother’s palms

and he were to curse

to strike us, to spit, and worse

That would be true joy

That would be true, perfect joy