Frailty Of All Creatures

When I was a young driver, Fresh behind the wheel, I saw a bird fly beneath a driver’s car Ahead of me. Her wings were broken And her body badly damaged. She flapped without hope On the hot July street. When I approached her, I ran her over; I cannot be sure Accidentally or purposely. I began to cry And pray to St. Francis, Poor little bird! But I thought, Does God see The lonely pain of a bird And the frailty of all creatures? At that moment, I became resolved Every poem I wrote Would be a prayer For compassion. So now, even if I write About a gorgeous sunset Or the enchantment of a woman’s eyes, It really is a prayer for love and mercy