Wayside Madonna
Vertical 5"x7" Christmas Card.
Text (under copyright):
She was sitting by the wayside-beautiful of face,
of grace-
A most delightful child on her knee.
She smiled when I sat beside her. “I am Miriam of
Nazareth and this is Joshua,” she said and kissed his head
I took the child in my arms and felt a surge of joyful love,
Of peace as I had never known.
“It is as if he were my very own,” I said when I could speak.
She nodded and our eyes met.
I caught the flash of pain, the unshed tears.
“You see”, she spoke more softly; “I have not understood it
all as yet”.
We sat in silence then- how long I can’t recall-
The longer shadows warned me to depart.
I kissed the lovely cheek, stroked the curly head
And left them where I found them
Sitting by the way.
A Child is born for us,
A son is given to us.
And now, like Miriam of Nazareth, I ponder all these
things in my heart