Mary's Questions

Oh angel! It is so easy for you

To tell me not to fear –

You who dwell in light unimaginable,

Forever praising God,

What do you know of fear?

My path is different;

Even in Spring’s upspringing

I feel the slow drag of flesh,

And the questions, like a thousand sword-points,

Bearing down upon me:

What will my mother say?

And Joseph, how will I explain

That I bear Another’s child?

Unless an angel comes to him,

How shall he believe?

And my friends (I can see it now):

Cruel smiles, pointing fingers,

Whispers I only just hear?

This is a small, small town,

I can get away with nothing.

Oh angel, have you any idea?

In this hour of second-guessing

Where has my courage gone?

And who am I to raise a child

Who is not like any other?

He will be the Son of God –

And my mind retreats

From the unearthly strangeness of it all …

But he will be God!

God himself

Will be a baby!

God himself

Will need me,

Will be vulnerable, alone,

Will need me.

God himself

Will taste of fear,

Will understand

This path I scarcely name.

God himself

Will be with me, will be so small, so small …

Let it be to me according to your word.