Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Yes, This Fits


To the Immaculate Virgin, On a Winter Night

Lady, the night is falling and the dark
Steals all the blood from the scarred west.
The stars come out and freeze my heart
With drops of untouchable music, frail as ice
And bitter as the new year's cross.

Where in the world has any voice
Prayed to you, Lady, for the peace that's in your power?
In a day of blood and many beatings
I see the governments rise up, behind the steel horizon,
And take their weapons and begin to kill.

Where in the world has any city trusted you?
Out where the soldiers camp the guns begin to thump
And another winter comes down
To seal our years in ice.
The last train cries out
And runs in terror from this farmer's valley
Where all the little birds are dead.

The roads are white, the fields are mute.
There are no voices in the wood
And trees make gallows up against the sharp-eyed stars.
Oh where will Christ be killed again
In the land of these dead men?

Lady, the night has got us by the heart
And the whole world is tumbling down.
Words turn to ice in my dry throat
Praying for a land without prayer,

Walking to you on water all winter
In a year that wants more war.
           
         Thomas Merton - 1949

15 comments:

  1. Mary,

    It doesn't seem to matter that this poem was written so long ago. You are right, it is very appropriate... unfortunately.

    God bless

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  2. I agree with Sue~this is just as relevant today as in Merton's day.
    We do need to go to Our Lady more, and more need to do so.
    Thanks for sharing this, Mary.

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  3. Oh wow! Things never change it seems. Our Lady of the Americas, pray for us!

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  4. Hi Colleen,
    I love this poem :)

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  5. Hi Sue,
    Whenever I read this poem I can't help but think of what a perfect fit it is to our current day and age. Plus, it's beautiful!

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  6. Hi Victor,
    That's a good idea. I join my prayers to yours.

    God bless!

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  7. Hi Karin,
    Definitely relevant. This poem always strikes me as prophetic both for his day and ours. Thanks for commenting!

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  8. Hi Monica,
    So true! We look around today and we can truly see how deeply we are in need of salvation. May Our Lady pray for us.

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  9. Oh Mary, how beautiful! And..how fitting. I am so grateful that the US has as our Patroness, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. We need her help so much.

    I keep remembering what she told the children at Fatima: "One day, through the rosary and the scapular, I will save the world."

    Thank you for sharing this exquisite poem! xoxo

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  10. Tough to read in light of the events this week.

    God Bless you.

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  11. I love this poem and hope that Thomas Merton is in heaven now.

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  12. I love this poem and hope that Thomas Merton is in heaven now.

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