What the Angel Saw

Mary Iscariot and Mary of Nazareth mourning the death of their sons, but it could be any mother's sorrow. took lots of biblical liberties here, possible excommunication?

The angel paused when he heard weeping

coming from the humble dwelling.

And he wondered “Why such sadness on this most festive Shabbat?”

 

Silently, he lowered himself to the window

for a better view.

The room was dark save for a single candle on a table

 

Where two women sat,

heads buried in their folded arms.

Before them lay untouched plates of Passover greenery.

 

One woman clutched in her hand a bloody nail

The other a broken cord of rope

The air was heavy with inconsolable grief

 

Tears of deep sorrow flooded

the bitter herbs in a miniature Dead Sea.

One woman spoke, almost as a whisper, to no one.

 

“Tonight, our sons, our first born

join with ancient Pharaoh’s son in blameless death.

Condemned, not saved, by the Angel of Deliverance."

 

Then the angel, flush with sorrow,

kept vigil throughout the night,

and wept.

Reviews

[steppenwolf]

Oh my goodness. What a picture. Mothers mourning together for their dead sons. I like the plate of Passover greenery. But more than anything I like the ending. There really are no other words to be said other than the angel is weeping. These stories are ageless and can apply to any mother, anywhere, who's lost a child.

[Mary]

thank you, steppenwolf. In my heart, Mary's story is every woman's story, filled with joy and deep sorrow.

[Stacey Watts]

The words here paint a very heart-wrenching situation. A situation that would hurt any mother with the loss of her child. I personally would think they would be very sad. This was very well written.

[gombeggar]

interesting to include egyptian orientalism

[Distant horizons]

Yes, you are right. This could be of any Mothers sorrow. Nicely done. Thought provoking.