TO THE QUEEN OF DOLOURS

TO THE QUEEN OF DOLOURS

Seven times seven

the beads I toll, [1]

chiming the music of your griefs

about my soul.

Long since my sires

and their sires before

changed their charms against the storm,

against the hoar.

Charm for the foal,

a charm against rain

potent potion for the new-bud life, and

woman in pain.

Poor were my sires

with never a bead

to fling at the Ivory Tower  [2]

and cry their need.

Seven times seven                                                                   the beads I press,

succour the seed of my sires, Queen,                                  

in this distress.                                                                         

                                                                                   

Sister Maura SSND

Initiate the heart.  1946

Used with permission

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[1] This is a reference to the dolours rosary, which consists of seven sets of seven beads.  Each set represents one of the seven sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

[2] “Tower of Ivory” is one of the titles of praise used in the Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The poet is sorrowful because her pagan ancestors, though loyal to their own pagan deities, were deprived of the solace she finds in turning to God’s mother for comfort.