Ave
Maria
Beneath bare boughs
In citrine light
Illumined
A statue of the blessed virgin
In a cool, spring night
Passing by
I raise a hand
Ave Maria
Hail Mary
--
James Frederick William Rowe
Poet’s
Notes: This is
a simple poem that captures an actual moment as I was walking past my local
church and its statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I was struck by the peculiar
beauty of the statue contrasted with the bare tree, the evening sky, and the
light that shone on the statue. As per my usual custom, I raised a hand to
pronounce an ave Maria, and the poem
naturally followed from that.
The poem was written as soon as I returned home. I
briefly considered adding two more lines but chose instead to preserve the poem’s
simplicity. I did agonize over that choice, but sometimes one must know when to
be done with something. I am not always laconic, but this poem is succinct.
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