Ave Maria

I'm reading a book by Sue Monk Kidd, Traveling with Pomegranates. Those of you familiar with her writing know that Kidd has a special interest in femininity and in the first few chapters of this book, there are lots of references to mythological women (Monk and her daughter are traveling in Greece), mothers and daughters, as well as to Mary. I remembered my own comforting discovery of God as mother, and some exploring of that aspect of divinity. And then I remembered this poem that I wrote one afternoon after I got back from a walk. My walking mix included Celine Dion's version of Ave Maria, and as I walked, tears ran down my cheeks as I imagined Mary as a young woman--her courage and strength, as she said yes to being the mother of the Son of God.

Ave Maria

Holy Mary?

How did I miss her?

Always of the thought that it was wrong

to revere the mother

It’s the Son

we worship and adore

But on this day

When I hear the words of this song

I am moved

in my love and respect for this young mother

Opening her heart and soul and body

To the Son of God.

Knowing the foretelling of the pain to come

She glorified the heavenly Father

…of her unborn son

Grateful for the privilege of carrying Emanuel

Without Lamaze or epidural

she labored in a barn

cutting the cord

setting free this newborn

from her safe embrace

Into the world to be wounded

and abused for her salvation

Watching from the edges

of the crowd and the front of the

cross

Ave Maria!

I love you and

I look to your example

of courage and submission.

Holy Father

Open my heart to Emanuel

May I willingly

like Mary,

Invite the Son

into the center of my being.

Amen.