Beyond the Nimbus

Poetry

Tripping down some March hare’s hole recently, I happened upon a stunningly beautiful icon of the Essene Mary Magdalene. Not my usual territory, but nevertheless it inspired this ekphrastic offering.

Beyond the nimbus and the frame

gaze sea-deep almond eyes,

and on her brown-skinned face

compassion rests without a trace

of judgment or revenge.

Tree of Life her thorny crown,

the earthsprings at her feet,

she evenly presides

while leaf and stone and spirit-dove

surround her in relief.

In her embrace the universe

expands for mouse and snake.

The kitten and the kittiwake

her strong yet lissome hands

encircle like a henge.

All-Mother, hold us

as sleeping fox kits to Your breast,

and may we, Your sundry children,

find spaciousness in ours

for all Your myriad Names.

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The icon is the intellectual property of artist Terese Nielsen. You can view it on her website. I took the photo for this post today as my neighbor and I were setting out for our morning walk.

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Photo by Camilla Wells Paynter

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