Poem: A Shepherd's Farewell : Anonymous

Poem shared by Sree Gururaja

By an unknown poet and forwarded repeatedly in social media. Sharing in reverence to Pope Francis. 

Sree

A Shepherd’s Farewell

>> On Easter’s dawn, the bells fell still,
>> A gentle soul had climbed the hill.
>> No crown of gold, no throne of pride,
>> But love and mercy as his guide.
>>
>> From Argentina’s humble street,
>> To Rome, where saints and sinners meet,
>> He walked with sandals, not with might,
>> A servant clothed in heaven’s light.
>>
>> He kissed the wounds the world ignored,
>> Embraced the poor, the outcast, bored.
>> He spoke of peace, of earth’s deep cry,
>> And taught us all to live and try.
>>
>> He challenged walls, both stone and soul,
>> And made the broken-hearted whole.
>> He led not with a scepter’s sway,
>> But with a smile to light the way.
>>
>> Now heaven holds his weary frame,
>> Yet here below, we speak his name.
>> A Pope, a father, friend to all,
>> Who answered Christ’s enduring call.
>>
>> Rest now, dear Francis, in God’s grace,
>> Your journey done, your final place.
>> The world you served with heart so wide,
>> Now mourns the shepherd who has died.