On Mary looking at her Child
We see her Mary, eyes alone for Him
in her arms, her baby, very flesh,
hers: the Very God. How hard to turn
from this mystery! She must stay thus
and more and more
adore.
We too adore from afar the little One,
the great God here soft, snuffling
breathing: the breath of God.
Aware we are of the Mother rapt and
so totally other, and of us,
unaware.
But should she sudden, turn
captured by our outstretched longing
Our clutching the hem of her garment,
and thus invite us in. We should
be heavens away in Love’s
completion.
Sr Mary Stephen Astley osb. Minster Abbey