Mary Speaks

O you who bear the pain of the whole earth, I bore you
O you whose tears gave human tears their worth, I laughed with you
You, who when your hem is touched, give power, I nourished you
Who turn the day to night in this dark hour, light comes from you
O you who hold the world in your embrace, I carried you
Whose arms encircled the world with your grace, I once held you
O you who laughed and ate and walked the shore, I played with you
And I, who with all others, you died for, now I hold you
May I be faithful to this final test, in this last hour I hold my child, my son
His body close enfolded to my breast
The holder held, the bearer borne
Mourning to joy, darkness to morn
Open, my arms; your work is done