The Scene – Dec. 20, 2021
We know the scene: the room, variously furnished, almost always a lectern, a book; alwaysthe tall lily.Arrived on solemn grandeur of great wings,the angelic ambassador, standing or hovering,whom she acknowledges, a guest. But we are told of meek obedience. No one mentionscourage.The engendering Spiritdid not enter her without consent.God waited. She was freeto accept or […]
Annunciation
by Denise Levertov We know the scene: the room, variously furnished, almost always a lectern, a book; alwaysthe tall lily.Arrived on solemn grandeur of great wings,the angelic ambassador, standing or hovering,whom she acknowledges, a guest. But we are told of meek obedience. No one mentionscourage.The engendering Spiritdid not enter her without consent.God waited. She was […]
Annunciation – Dec. 23, 2020
She did not cry, ‘I cannot, I am not worthy,’nor, ‘I have not the strength.’She did not submit with gritted teeth, raging coerced.Bravest of all humans, consent illumined her.The room filled with its light,the lily glowed in it, and the iridescent wings.Consent, courage unparalleled,opened her utterly. -Denise Levertov, from “Annunciation”
The Annunciation – Dec. 22, 2020
“He tiptoes into the room almost as if he were an intruder. Then kneels, soundlessly. His white robe arranges itself. His breath slows. His muscles relax. The lily in his hand tilts gradually backward and comes to rest against his right shoulder. She is sitting near the window, doing nothing, unaware of his presence… Ah: […]
