Hail Mary, our Holy Queen

This poem was written in response to the Rattle® Poetry Ekphrastic Challenge for September 2022. However, I felt it needed work and this it was never submitted. You can find more information here.

https://www.rattle.com/ekphrastic/

The image that this poem was specifically written about can be found here. (September 2022 – Bonnie Riedinger’s “Take Heart”)

https://i0.wp.com/www.rattle.com/ekphrasis/EC22Sep.jpg?ssl=1

Hail Mary, our Holy Queen

Behold, the Ark of the Covenant

In human flesh for an everlasting covenant

A new Eve, conceived immaculate

For the stain of original sin hath never touched

Daughter of Zion, robed in Marion blue

A sign appearing in the sky, a woman clothed in the sun

The moon underfoot and crowned with stars

This royal altar overlaid in pure gold

And out of Zion, the perfection of beauty

Shout oh Israel, be glad, and rejoice with all the heart

For the Daughter of Jerusalem is with child

The glory of God covered her, this new tabernacle

And filled it with grace and the Holy Spirit

The jar that holds the manna, the new food from heaven

She brought forth a male child, the Son of God

Who is to rule over all nations

Who would be caught up to the Lord and to his throne

Green be the vine that grows the grapes, the new wine

And blessed be the fruit of her womb, Jesus

Whose body and blood becomes our food and drink

She, which gave human life to the divine

Be our Refuge of Sinners and our Merciful Mother

Show us peace, tranquility, and faith

Our Lady of the Sea and Stars

Behold, assumed into heaven, body and soul

The vessel that held the Lamb of God

Clothed in blue and veiled in white

Virgins of Virgins, pure and unblemished

Hail Mary, our Holy Queen

Queen of Angels and Saints

The Virgin Mary holds a special place of honor in the Catholic religion. This poem highlights some of the Marian dogmas of the Catholic faith as well as some of the more common devotional names and titles of Mary.