A Virgin a Day: Day Ten






Our Lady of Shape Shifting (MeriMagic on Polyvore)



Oh mistress of shapeshifting,
you come to us
in many guises. . .

as a lady in white floating above an oak tree
in the fields of Portugal,
with messages to shepherd children.

as an image on a highway sign in Sunnyside
in eastern Washington, 
not once, but twice.

as a statue weeping blood
at a Vietnamese Catholic Church 
in Sacramento, California.

People see you in the browning
of a grilled cheese sandwich,
in the hues of a plate glass window.

You told the young Bernadette
to dig and when she had done so,
you filled the void with healing waters. 
Even now, over a century and a half later,
pilgrims flock to Lourdes,
seeking miracles of their own.

I don't seek your appearance
in an oil spot on a garage floor,
though you may well choose to do that
for the mechanic who needs a reminder
of the ineffable nature of faith. . .

Instead, I seek your company
in spirit,
as a feeling of rightness,
of comfort in the face of discomfort,
as acceptance of what seems unacceptable.
I listen for your voice to guide me
when I feel lost in a thicket of uncertainty. 

Come to us
in the call of the birds returned home in early spring, 
in the curling of smoke from a stick on incense,
in the giggle and froth of a river,
in the singing of stones in a temple at Abydos.

Come to us in whatever form
we will understand
as apparition
as song
as a whisper
as a gold-leafed image 
or a warm breeze.

Just come to us.

Comments

Delphyne said…
This is one of the most beautiful prayers I've read, Meri. I'm bookmarking it so that I can reread it again and again.

I'm always amazed at the people who shy away from the term "shape shifter" - as if it were something fearful. Life shape shifts every moment of every day - so does the Multiverse, so do the cells in our bodies. Since my belief is that Mary is not separate from Life, from the Earth, from the Multiverse, I am never surprised as to how She chooses to reveal Herself to anyone or any living being.

I love your image, too - you are truly an artiste and genius with this medium!
J C said…
Hmmm. Shapeshifting, very interesting thought. I mostly love your words describing "Come to me"..I can visualize each.
carol l mckenna said…
A Bit of 'Soul Collage' here ~ lovely rendition and post ~

(A Creative Harbor) ~ aka ArtMusedog and Carol ^_^
Priti Lisa said…
Yes, I do not need to see to believe, I feel her gentle nudges♥
Nonnie said…
potent observations of how Mary has come to us again and again! yet I am child-like in my desire of "seeing" Mary
Thanks for telling me more about Polyvore. I'm afraid to even start in case another addiction overcomes me. This is a deeply moving piece and your writing has the quality of what I'd love to see in a book accompanied by your art. Thinking of that?
I love the enigmatic quality of this image.....and your words are just brilliant.
Thank you Meri,
Ruby
Your images and writings always knock me off of my feet. This one is no exception!
rebecca said…
truly today i have no words to thank you for the beauty that tumbles from your fingers, your beautiful mind, your loving heart.
Annie Jeffries said…
Shades of Aliens and The Borg! Sorry, Couldn't resist it. LOL

Popular posts from this blog