Mother of Light

by Maria Rocco

Salve Regina
mother most infinite

mater misericordiae
nurse me with your mercy

vita, dulcedo et spes nostra salve.
fill my veins with sweetness
so my walk spreads hope as His does.

Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Hevae
Lost with inherited sin, I clamor for you

Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.
I weep for innocence incarcerated
incinerated, destroyed beyond recognition.

Eia ergo, advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes oculos, ad nos converte
One glance, Mother of Light
will remind me of your inhesitant love

Et Jesum, benedictum fructum
ventris tui
nobis post hoc exsilium ostende.
Feed me with the Word from your womb
Sweetest fruit
nourishing with fresh clarity
growing unbending character.

O clemens, O pia, O dulcis,
Virgo Maria.
Sweet, loving, merciful
help me bear your name
with as much beauty
as you.

Timely Visit

Elijah taps me on the head -- again with the walking stick.
I turn and the chariot suspends the moment
the wheels glow
ready to part the clouds
back to Mount Carmel.

"The lesson sat in that book
between the oil and the flour
and you shut it out!"

This time the poke in the ribs
while the prophet smiles.

"She had so little, but she fed me.
God will pour even more life
into your lap
over your head
onto your heart
if you could give what you've been given."

I could not bear to lift my eyes as the mountain pulled him back,
wheels leaving an orange scratch in the sky's blue enamel.
His voice crying the Name
generations could not speak nearly as well.

Sweet Morning

You reach into my room
tap upon my eyes
bid me to awaken
and I do.

Light so warm
bright enough to burn
the sin from my bones.

Restless Candle
flickering on living water
drawing the moths ever closer
until we are one.

Ease me into the role of prophet
inspire me to lead as priest
and let Wisdom conquer me as King.

This gospel is almost too sweet.
Holy chocolate all mine
until I see the multitudes
waiting for dessert.

Copyright 2003 by Maria Rocco 
All rights reserved.