A milky-eyed mourning dove

A milky-eyed mourning dove

Sat upon a tombstone - tacit -

Inside the grounds of St. Francis

To admire a cache betroved.

A sentinel's duty - it bears -

Not broken by a morning beam -

Even the shuffle of the wind

Could not disturb the atmosphere.

The dove - it eyed me peacefully - 

Let out a feathered sigh.

I felt it - walking on by - 

That blessed serenity.