In preparation for Feast of St Francis on Sunday

[Gabrielle Dean]

May creatures all abound in wealth and peace;

May all be blessed with peace always;

All creatures weak or strong,

All creatures great and small;

Creatures seen or unseen,

Dwelling afar or near.

Born or awaiting birth,

May all be blessed with peace!

Hymn from the Sutta-Nipata (Buddhist scripture)

Not sure how a parent swan without a head manages to produce 5 perfect cygnets… Life is a contstant source of mystery.