Waiting with Mary [Part Five]

Incarnation
  The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and the mystery of the Incarnation took place.
  The poet Sheila Cussons has found the right words to share this event with us.

  Writing in the medium of Afrikaans, Cussons bases her concept on an ancient Spanish poem.
  The poet lays her description of Our Lady's Annunciation in the mouth of the Archangel Gabriel, and provides us with a profoundly feminine insight into the moment of Mary's miraculous conception of the Son of God.

        ANNUNCIATION

      "Gabriel, why your radiance?"
      "Because I beheld the Queen of Heaven
        in a young girl."

        Her eyes are bright, her skin resembles ivory
        Her hair hangs down in braids.
        When she saw me and heard my message
        She stiffened through the terror of the flesh
        (It took) an iron will to control her terror
        before she could respond in hushéd syllables:
        "Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
         Let it be done to me according to thy word."
        At this the Spirit overshadowed her,
        And something like a slumber crossed her face.
        She had already lost awareness of my presence.    . . .

     Cussons believes that Mary of Nazareth understands us so well because she is "of our kind".
  I have translated the South African poet's words into English with the poet's permission.
  Note the allusion to Mary's personal diffidence in the reference to her smile.

    15 AUGUST - ASSUMPTION OF MARY
    I speak to you constantly of the small various
    Anxious things that shape my existence, which
    Distinguish me from, say, an angel or a gale.
    For you too kept within your heart and pondered.
    The heart which flutters, wonders in uncertainty
    Daughter of earth, pained ignorance and faith.
    That is, I know, the way you want me, not dressed up, 
    But in my humanity, with its church hat left off.
    And, if I'm able, some of your own reverence
    To show to all that golden, silken, stiff brocade
    On dolls, positioned high above the altars, which were fashioned
    By hands to fill up what is wanting in deficient thank yous.
    The faces of these dolls, designed to look so saintly
    All have in common that suggestion of a smile
    Around the mouth, perhaps the only accurate characteristic
    Oh you, who crave for nothing but that we reflect
    Upon the words: "Woman, behold thy son." No earthly power
    Shall vanquish us, provided that we ripen in your heart.

Dr Luky Whittle
Image by Rev Catherine