The death of Francis of Assisi

In a dream I saw Francis die.
There in the wood his frail, small body
Shuddered and gave up the ghost.

And all creatures stopped
And watched his spirit rise.
The owl in mid-chase turned,
And the hunted hare stopped,
And, with the wolf and lamb,
They cried “Farewell, our brother,
We await your revealing,
We await your Lord.”

And the rabbit fled,
And the owl swooped,
And the wood was filled
With praise and groaning
And waiting.