“Jesus said, ‘Mary!’
She knew him then. . . .”
               (John 20: 16, The Jerusalem Bible)

Mary, opening herself,
vulnerable to stoning or worse,

broken by love dismissing her,
maybe privately. Mary, birthing

a child who will pierce her soul.
Mary conflicted with seven

deadly demons. Mary, anointing
her lover’s head with costly oil,

bathing his feet with her tears,
her long, dark hair.

And now, at his empty tomb,
Mary weeping in this sunrise garden

when a man appears, the gardener–
another trick played on Mary,

calling her by name
to this Mystery. This Love.