Dalle foglie,
From the leaves,
from
the soft pointed
scalloped
edges of leaves,
from
the vaults,
from plumages in love,
from embroidered wings,
from the downward flights
of falling leaves,
from the tiny worlds
along gravel paths
in the evening
from the strokes of moonlight
on thorn
thickets,
from suns and from winters
among wolves and cliffs,
from fire, from water, from wind, *
and for the Small Ones,
precious and humble…
You called Him – He called you,
with living
words,
and even the dreadful scowl of Death
seemed sweet
to you.
*The words “focu” (fire), “uento” (wind), and “pretiosi et hùmeli” (precious and humble) are written, in the Italian version of the poem, in early Umbrian vernacular—the language of St. Francis. Their poetic resonance is untranslatable into English.
** This verse alludes to the "mutual inhaesio" between St. Francis and his God. That is, it refers to the mystical mutual indwelling between St. Francis and God—a spiritual union where each resides in the other.
(From the collection of poems "Itinerarium Cordis in Deum")
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| Giotto : S. Francesco rinuncia ai beni terreni |
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| Cigoli (Ludovico Cardi)- S. Francesco in orazione |
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| Guido Reni - S. Francesco e l'angelo musicante |
