OUR LADY OF ART

OUR LADY OF ART

All these of paintings we have loved – The Head

of the Virgin where mindfulness of Him

is light translucent on her face; the rim

unflawed that Botticelli wrought to wed

Madonna of the Angels to the bread

of earth and sorrowing; and Raphael’s whim

that caught Madonna of the Chair, nor dim,

nor old is love in colour harvested.

From field, and throne, at crib, and cross is blent

the dream we dream of her; in oil, and chalk,

in fresco and in water complement

but though through these our love appears to walk,

this ours to master, make to timeless art –

Our Lady, living, lovely in the heart.

Sister Maura SSND

Where once the wild Arbutus grew.  1945

Used with permission