Mysteries, Yes

This is a repost from December but as we approach the feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple this Thursday( see post here),  it seems a good one to put up again as it resonates for me with these words from the Gospel :

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,

“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,

and to be a sign that will be contradicted

and you yourself a sword will pierce
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Mysteries, Yes
By Mary Oliver

Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous
to be understood.

How grass can be nourishing in the
mouths of the lambs.

How rivers and stones are forever
in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.

How two hands touch and the bonds
will never be broken.

How people come, from delight or the
scars of damage,
to the comfort of a poem.

Let me keep my distance, always, from those
who think they have the answers.

Let me keep company always with those who say
"Look!" and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads.

I love this version of the Ave Maria (Hail Mary), but it is in Italian and so these are my efforts at a very loose translation of most of the words of the verses : 

Ora pro nobis is Latin for Pray for Us  but I think most of you will already know that one.

Woman of waiting
Mother of hope
Woman of smiles
Mother of silence
Woman of the margins
Mother of Love
Woman of rest
Mother of the journey
Woman of the desert
Mother of Breath
Woman of the evening
Mother of memories
 Woman of this moment
and Mother of the past
Woman on Earth 
Mother of Love 
 Ave Maria : Hail Mary

Ora Pro Nobis : Pray for us