Observance
Outside the transept of the church
a modest statue stands:
Saint Francis of Assisi holds
a basin in his hands.
Upon the rim there rests a bird
attentive to the man,
and each continues biding time
by some designer’s plan.
The weather through the years has turned
both hair and plumage red,
yet neither creature seems to mind
the state of either head.
Parishioners as well as guests
may note—or not—this spot:
those who pass by without a look
miss seeing quite a lot.
Jane Blanchard of Augusta, Georgia, has recent work in Blue Unicorn, Loch Raven Review, and Scintilla. Her latest collection is Furthermore.
Amethyst Review 