Rosetti Christmas

She cowers on the bed
as a young girl would,
introduced (by an angel, no less)
to an overwhelming assignment/challenge/blessing.
I feel for this Mary,
the initial weight of the impossible
evident in her slouch and gaze.

Moments later
She straightens her posture
and says "be it unto me" and "behold"
but I love that Dante Rossetti
paints the humanness of her
"how shall it be"?

He used his sister Christina
as his model, a writer in her own right
famous for her
In the Bleak Midwinter:

What can I give him
Poor as I am
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb
If I were a wise man
I would do my part
Yet what I can I give him
Give my heart.

Happy December, friends

Comments

[Stie: My Favorite Things]

I have tears spilling over, friend. Thanks for a fresh perspective that I'd forgotten. Can you just imagine?

[Anonymous]

So dear and touching, dear Annie. This painting is one of the most compelling of all the Annunciation pieces. Thank you for the lovely poem that so fits the awesomeness of the moment. I love you, Ma

[gab]

You are so talented. I love this painting and your poem fits beautifully! This is why blog-reading is not a waste of time.

[Bridget]

Wow, that is a beautiful painting. And so well put Annie. Thanks for brightening my Sunday.

[Emily]

Inspired Annie. Thank you. The beautiful words fit the picture and one I had not seen before. It is nice to see a depiction of the understanding of what she is taking on. Unbelievable.

[Bridget]

I do need your mailing address. Do you have a secure email you can safely give out over the blog here? I would love to exchange Christmas cards, assuming I actually do one..