I might have posted this lovely poem by Gabrielle D’Annunzio in September as I began school, but it speaks to me. Perhaps, I am better off to read it at other times than the beginning.
I recalled the poem, when I heard of the election of the Pope, Francis I. I thought it was a fitting name for the person who would be a shepherd. I hope he fulfills his Jesuit tradition of social justice and teaching.
When I heard the name he chose, it reminded of St. Francis of Assisi. Kathy and I used the Prayer of St. Francis as part of our wedding ceremony and hangs on our bedroom wall.
September, let’s go. It’s time to migrate.
Now in the land of Abruzzi my shepherds
leave the folds and go towards the sea:
they go down to the wild Adriatic
that is green like mountain pastures.
They’ve drunk deeply from the Alpine fonts,
so that the taste of their native water
may stay in their exiled hearts for comfort
to deceive their thirst along the way.
They’ve renewed their hazelnut sticks.
And they go along the ancient bridleway,
that is almost like a silent grassy river
in the traces of the ancient ancestors.
Oh voice of the one who first
discerns the shimmering of the sea!
Now along this coast moves the flock.
Without movement is the air.
The sun bleaches the living wool so that
it almost blends into the sand.
Swishing, stamping, sweet sounds.
Ah why am I not with my shepherds?
About ivonprefontaine
In keeping with bell hooks and Noam Chomsky, I consider myself a public and dissident intellectual. Part of my work is to move beyond (transcend) institutional dogmas that bind me to defend freedom, raising my voice to be heard on behalf of those who seek equity and justice in all their forms.
I completed my PhD in Philosophy of Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. My dissertation and research was how teachers experience becoming teachers and their role as leaders.
I focus on leading, communicating, and innovating in organizations. This includes mindfuful servant-leadership, World Cafe events, Appreciative Inquiry, and expressing one's self through creativity. I offer retreats, workshops, and presentations that can be tailored to your organzations specific needs.
I published peer reviewed articles about schools as learning organizations, currere as an ethical pursuit, and hope as an essential element of adult eductaion. I published three poems and am currently preparing my poetry to publish as an anthology of poetry.
I present on mindful leadership, servant leadership, schools as learning organizations, how teachers experience becoming teachers, assessement, and critical thinking. I facilitate mindfulness, hospitality retreats. and World Cafe Events using Appreciative Inquiry.
I am writing and researching about various forms of leadership, how teachers inform and form their identity as a particular teacher, schools as learning organizations, hope, nonviolence and its anticipatory relationship with the future, as essential elements to teaching and learning.
Academic publications can be found at Ivon Gile Prefontaine on ResearchGate
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 
Oh my this is so beautiful. I love St. Francis. I’m not a practicing Catholic, but this new pope gives me hope.This poem speaks to Francis the Pope.
I think it does Angeline. I think St. Francis is one of those Catholic saints who transcends belief systems. He is like Buddha. One does not have to be Buddhist to see the wisdom in the teachings.
St. Francis of Assissi is my favorite saint. So connected to God, the earth and all it’s inhabitants. I see the humility of the new Pope from the 2005 election, when he pleaded with the conclave not to vote again for him because to him peace was more important. The sign of a real and genuine shepherd…I so pray. Beautiful poem on your wall. Sheri
I am with you on St. Francis. The priest who officiated our wedding initially said no to using the Prayer of St. Francis as a reading, but saw how important it was to us and allowed it. It may have set the mood for almost 40 years.
The name a new Pope takes traditionally expresses their motivation of where they would be heading. Pope Francis has chosen the name of the Patron Saint of ecology and animals. This new Pope liked to go by bus as a cardinal, he also asked his followers to donate to the poor rather than buy plane tickets to go with him to Rome. This could be a sustainability Pope.
I learned more about last night after I posted. He has worked for the poor and you are right that St. Francis is a patron saint of ecology. One hopes for good things.
I have nominated you for the Hug Award. For more details, please visit this link http://cristimoise.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/the-hug-award-hope-unites-globally/
Thank you Cristi. I will be taking care of awards in the next little while.
Gabrielle’s poem,very fitting for the occasion .Having new Pope.Hoping heartily he will find the answers for the many questions.Thank you for the visit.Greetings.jalal
You are welcome and thank you back Jalal
The Prayer of St. Francis is timeless. Glad to hear that it’s part of your life. Blessings.
It is a daily reminder. Take care.