ON THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION

“Mary, uplifted to our sight In cloudy vesture stainless-white, Why are thine eyes like stars alight, Twin flames of charity?” “Mine eyes are on His glorious face That shone not on earth’s darkened place, But clothed and crowned me with grace— The God who fathered me!” “Mary, against the sinless glow Of angel pinions white as snow, Why are thy fair lips parted so In ecstasy of love?” “My lips are parted to His breath Who breathed on me in Nazareth And gave me life to live in death— My Spouse, the spotless Dove!” “Mary, whose eager feet would spurn The very clouds, whose pale hands yearn Toward rifted Heaven that fires burn Where once was fixed the sword?” “The fires I felt when His child head Lay on this mother’s heart that bled, And when it lay there stark and dead— My little Child, my Lord!”