by John Ciardi

What lifts the heron leaning on the air

I praise without a name. A crouch, a flare,

a long stroke through the cumulus of trees,

a shaped thought at the sky–then gone. O rare!

Saint Francis, being happiest on his knees,

would have cried Father! Cry anything you please

But praise. By any name or none. But praise

the white original burst that lights

the heron on his two soft kissing kites.

When saints praise heaven lit by doves and rays,

I sit by pond scums till the air recites

It’s heron back. And doubt all else. But praise.

(1958)