THE LISTENER

THE LISTENER

Mary was full of listening

and the Word

was uttered in her silence

like a bellstroke.

In Mary was no threat

of clangour. She was still

as summer-skies

wide-armed to wait the Sun.

Mary was full of stillness,

that she heard the Ghostly overshadow

quiet as power,

fall like crescendoing thunder

on her soul.

Only a word,

a brave consent low-spoken

but every stone in hell

went limp as rag.

The heavens shot up in flame.

There was no hindrance

in Mary, quiet as humility.

The soft-strung Word

lost in negotiation,

pierced Mary's bosom

like a clarion.

In here there was no din,

there was no traffic,

Mary was full of listening,

full of grace.

Mother M Francis PCC

Friar. May 1969

Used with permission