To the marshes of Venice, Francesco then came
In in the company of another friar
Crossed them….
He was returning from the East
That in that place he stopped,
Evening came and it was time to pray.
Flocks of black birds
On the branches were
Loudly singing….
It seemed that this clangour
Was the praise
Of their Creator.
So Francis in thoses marshes
With the birds wanted to pray
And in the midst of the crowd
He walked…
Fading between those cries
The echo of his footsteps,
The voice of his prayer….
"I beg you to be silent"
And the silence fell over the marshes.
And no one sang
Until Francis stopped praying
And he left...