Saturday, December 15, 2018

POEM: "The Pros and Cons of Going"

Perpetua and Felicity: An Icon















A Poem for Advent

In the hills tonight she scrambles urgently,
Through dried out brush, across the forest's fallen limbs.
Only when she makes it, only in the soft light
Of Elizabeth's kindness and solidarity,
Will she feel the sting of so many scrapes.

Behind her, others wait, wondering why,
But she has no time for their questions.
Mary makes haste to see her cousin.

Go urgently, friend, to where the wise one waits.
Listen to the spirit, stirring now, yes right now,
In your womb, your holy and once-in-forever womb.
Do not weigh the pros and cons of going.
Do not check the weather app, on your device.
Just go, even if your going bewilders those close,
Even if your shins are cut in a hundred places
By the thorny twigs you cannot see in the hills.

You will find her.
She waits there for you.
There will be time for patience then,
In the soft light of Elizabeth's kindness,
And for the conspiracies that promise peace.

DGJ
14 December 2018
After Luke 1: "Mary set out and made haste..."