Ambush

The Rev. Canon Dr. James M. McPherson

AMBUSH
After the Annunciation
 
Not the couplings she had seen
in barns and paddocks;not
her parents' breathless and arthritic
furtive pleasuring (thinking her
asleep); the angel's cryptic words
echoing perhaps Ruth's gentle
needy ambush on the threshing
floor that began her dear and
dreaming Joseph's royal line; that
had so panicked Joseph in her
telling, thinking she had set
her sights upon another; bruised
by that telling, unsleeping for
her pondering (her father sleeping,
mother breathing deep), Mary
wrapped a blanket round and went
to seek the steadying solace of
the Abrahamic stars; which greeted
her with joy, dancing and clapping
their hands; bright beads on royal
strings that swirled and folded
weaving her into a wondrous
garment of bridal splendour in the
Wooer's gentle needy ambush
 
© the Revd James M McPherson