St. Francis and the Birds
The birds flocked
To hear St. Francis
Tell them stories of creation
And how they first played
The sky like a huge harp,
Their wings plucking
Strings of pure air
While warbling canticles
On the splendor of flight.
Philip C. Kolin
Philip C. Kolin, Professor of English at the University of Southern Mississippi, has published four books of poems, including Deep Wonder: Poems (Grey Owl Press, 2000) and, most recently, A Parable of Women: Poems (Yazoo River Press, 2009). More than 200 of his poems have appeared in or are forthcoming in such journals as Christian Century, America, St. Austin Review, Christianity and Literature, Michigan Quarterly Review, Windhover, Seminary Ridge Review, Louisiana Literature, Blue Collar Review, St. Anthony Messenger, South Carolina Review, etc. Kolin is also the founding editor of Vineyards: A Journal of Christian Poetry (www.vineyardspoetry.com) . He was educated by the Jesuits and the Dominicans and considers St. Joseph his patron.
