Poems from Rosa Mystica
The following poem, "The Visitation," by poet Mary Agnes Dalrymple, is based on the Second Joyful Mystery of the Rosary: The Visitation.
The Visitation
The Blessed Virgin Mary visits
her cousin Elizabeth. Luke 1:39-50
For now they are happy,
two pregnant women
visiting over cups of warm
goat's milk.
Elizabeth says, "Mary,
when you are near, my baby
stirs within me, miracle
enough for I am old.
But, I think my child knows you --
he knows you cross the threshold
bearing our Lord." Mary says,
"I drink from this cup
for the milk it holds. And
the milk becomes part of me.
But I am only the cup.
If I am called Blessed
it will be for Jesus, the son
who lives within me. I drank
from the cup of God. And now
I hold him like a mother."
copyright 2004, Mary Agnes Dalrymple
all rights reserved
The following poem, "The Bread of Life," by poet Mary Agnes Dalrymple is based on the Fifth Luminous Mystery of the Rosary: The Last Supper.
The Bread of Life
Some eat, never tasting
a bite. Others alter their bread
with salty butter, sweet jam.
But some taste and remember
the wheat and the salt,
the water and the yeast,
the baker's sweat. The heat and
transformation. The labor of
love. They carry it inside
wherever they go. Everything
they touch will be touched
by the change they have taken inside.
copyright 2004, by Mary Agnes Dalrymple
all rights reserved
the following poem, "Touch Me Not," by poet Mary Agnes Dalrymple is based on the First Glorious Mystery of the Rosary: The Resurrection.
Touch Me Not
(Jesus of Nazareth. John 20:11-7)
Magdalene, do you recall
the gardenia
in my mother's garden--
how we held
the white bloom, wishing
to preserve the pure petals?
Remember that
bloom now, and hold me
in your heart --
for I must ascend to God,
and we cannot touch.
copyright 2004, by Mary Agnes Dalrymple
all rights reserved
