Three Hail Marys

Alone with my thoughts
While fingers work over
Those delicately carved wooden beads
I’ve never been one to believe
And I find myself wanting to believe
Frozen in this moment, I’m here.

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.”

When can we go home?
She asks desperately
And I know that the answer, soon.
She calls out to him frantically in the night
Someone who’s already made it there
But her journey, it’s coming too soon.

“Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of our death..."

I hold selfishly onto beads,
Bargaining for more
Never one for prayer,
My fingers lace through,
“God give me the strength and courage,
To face what I don’t want too.”

"Amen."

- Jennifer Marie
- March 24, 2008