DETAILS FOR THE DEATH OF OUR LADY

DETAILS FOR THE DEATH OF OUR LADY *

Give her now for this brief hour

into the chivalrous arms of darkness,

lay her upon the bosom of the earth,

gently, a grain of wheat again

that gave us Bread before.

Snuff for a tender moment the flame,

the dull earth's single splendour, Heaven, bend

a hushed, expectant arc across her grave.

patrol on wings of flame, you Seraphim,

this place of buried wheat!

Let the trees kneel, apostles at her grave;

apostles stand like trees and wait the sign

for springing, sprouting, blossoming. Now, world,

be mausoleum for one tender sheaf *

this hour of your best glory!

Planted by us, watered with God's desire,

sleep in our earthy hostel, Mary. Swiftly

comes His increase for you, His briefest dead.

Back, stand back, you Seraphim!

The gallant earth is heaving

a glorious reluctance for her sprouting!

Down to the southland of her grave

on bright propellers, spread your brave formation,

birds of the earth she loved, and strike the moment

of rising with your thousand throaty chimes,

never again alone, small grain of wheat,

Spring, sprout, and blossom, spread your fruits across

the floors of Heaven. Be a Queen forever.

Only remember you are ours and walked

under our trees and slept, once, in our earth.

Mother M Francis PCC

Summon Spirit's Cry. San Francisco: Ignatius Press.

(c) 1996. Mother M Francis PCC. All rights reserved.

Used with permission

From 'A Silence full of bells'

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*The Immaculate Mother of God was taken up body and soul into heaven after her earthly sojourn had been completed

*  "Sheaf" refers to the tradition that only a sheaf of lilies was found in the place where Mary's body had been laid to rest.