This is Easter week, Easter being a very important celebration in the Christian calendar. This poem, written in iambic pentameter, and with the special rhyming form found in Petrarchan sonnets - ie abba - I have written this to give prominence to a particularly courageous woman, who was a special disciple of Jesus: Mary Magdalen. Jesus stopped men from stoning her because she was a prostitute, he forgave her, she repented and she became one of his best, and certainly loyal disciples, because she stood by him and was with him all during the crucifixion when many of his male disciples deserted him in fear. She was the woman who was amongst the first to see the empty tomb and he spoke to her saying "Woman, Why Weepest Thou?" I heard that she also wrote a gospel, but, being a woman in a man's world, it was never published, as were those of the four apostles. I have, in this poem, portrayed a woman who wept because she had lost her man - torn from her by man's cruelty to man - and he was a man who died because he spoke up for what was right. Many men have died for this reason, and I start the poem showing that Mary Magdalen emphathises with the women who weep for them. They are often overlooked when remembering the deaths. In the third verse, she relates to her own man, and in the last verse Jesus speaks to her, as he did, and tells her that he is still alive for those who believe.
Please, this is a special poem which I have written for Easter, and I do know that many people are not Christians, and do not believe in the Christian story. I don't need all the wrangling that this can stir up. Please look at the poem for the story it tells, the message it gives, and for the hard work I have done to produce it. Thanks.
Also on my own website: http://www.whiteheadm.co.uk/html/mary_why.html#mary
I weep with those who’ve lost men they adored,
Whose fathers, sons and husbands are no more;
Their young lives spent by cruelties of war –
By gunfire, bombs by torture or the sword.
I weep for those brave souls who, in their lives
Faced death for values decent folk uphold.
Faced hatred, degradation – things untold –
Returned no more to family, friends and wives.
I weep for Him who sadly paid the price
For preaching love and caring to mankind.
Who healed the sick, the leper and the blind.
Did this, for other people, not suffice?
“But weep no more, sweet Mary, do not grieve –
Look on me now, sweet lady, strong and brave.
See, Death cannot contain me in its grave.
I live today for those who can believe.”
Copyright 2008
www.whiteheadm.co.uk
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Hi Josie
Written by jean.day (2196 comments posted) 16th March 2008 | | Lovely poem, with an unashamedly Christian message. Good for you. | Sad
Written by Hellcat (50 comments posted) 16th March 2008 | Hey, must say I hate preaching from any religion but this is was not that.
It made me think of a new years poem my mum wrote when I was a kid.
I loved the last stanza ^_^ |
Written by brook_rivers (484 comments posted) 16th March 2008 | Hi Josie,
This is a good read, you have clearly worked hard on it to get the rhyme and message right.
I think the first two stanzas particulary have relevance across many times, places and religions.
There is a lot of material to deal with here, you could perhaps even try extending upon what you have done.
Great Writing!
Brook. | Thank you
Written by Josie (2496 comments posted) 16th March 2008 | No, this was not preaching Hellcat, but these words are known by many people. I woke up with a start at 6 am the other morning and these words came straight to my mind for some reason. No I wasn't crying or thinking sad thoughts. I just continued thinking about the woman to whom they were said, and how she would understand other women's tears etc - and just to give the words without the rest of the story would be like painting someone with a body but no head. So the poem evolved - as they do.
Thank you all for your kind words and glad you appreciated it. Yes, it was very hard to write and took me many hours because I kept going back to it, thinking, and touching it up, as many of us do. |
Written by Fledermaus (3159 comments posted) 16th March 2008 | Ah!
So here is Mary Magdalen. The more one thinks about such things, the stranger they seem. Sure, if people have to fight for their basic needs, I can imagine there being aggression, but to kill for ideas, religions, ideologies, out of frustration or lust for power, those are things I find hard to comprehend.
I think that Laozi (if he really existed) wrote that a sword, however beautiful and skillfully crafted, remains a bad omen.
As for your inspiration: One morning I woke up and had to think of a famous black-and-white picture of the Vietnam war. And I did have to cry, not just for the people in the picture, but for a world were such things happen. Maybe God/Heaven/people's brain wants to remind them of what compassion means. | To Fledermaus
Written by Josie (2496 comments posted) 16th March 2008 | | Hello Fledermaus. Yes, here she is, and she can go back to rest now, for I have done something to remind people of her. Yes, I often wonder where words come from, for out of the blue words work their way into your being and you just have to act. How strange is your story about the picture of the Vietnam war which led you to such a sad feeling. Perhaps spirits work through us? I've often wondered about this. - Another subject altogether. I'm afraid that death through brutality is not reserved for bad people, as others will confirm, and when one person dies, many people will mourn their death. |
Written by Veronica_Milvus (458 comments posted) 16th March 2008 | | Nicely done, Josie, and well said. I guess there was an element of women suffering for the follies of men in there. She would have been a fascinating person to meet. | She was a good preacher
Written by patterjack (1067 comments posted) 17th March 2008 | with good ideas -- but not good at politics , so Peter won out .
patterjack
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Written by Bottleblondesurfer (3136 comments posted) 17th March 2008 | I thought I should take your advice and have a look at a poem that is an object lesson in rhyme and meter [I find rhythm easier] It's good to have a template to work to. I now know what skill they take to write.
I was brought up a Catholic and was always fascinated by Mary Magdalen.I'm suprised she survived the vetting and censorship and wasn't written out of the stories. I agree this wasn't preaching,Josie and was all the stronger for it
Jane | Lovely poem
Written by audrie (444 comments posted) 18th March 2008 | Josie, and it was the Catholic church who dubbed Mary M as a prostitute. She was nothing of the kind but a woman from a regal background.
The Catholic church was jealous of Jesus and his influence so denigrated his followers. They are responsible for so much murder, destruction, and abuse.
But I'd better shut up about religion!! | Thanks
Written by Josie (2496 comments posted) 18th March 2008 | Yes, you are right. Jesus was a simple man. The sort of person you might just see in everyday life, talking simple language that everyone understood. He wore no rich gowns, didn't wear a mitre, didn't speak in Latin or a language not understood by others. Just a simple simple pure living man, who had a message: Love each other. He stood up for what was right in his heart. Couldn't bear to see money changers in God's house - which is right. Because he spoke so simply, and was prepared to speak to people outside of the Jewish religion too, he was condemned to die. So very sad, and we see people today in the same situation. Look at what is happening in Tibet. The people who are being removed and tortured at this very minute, are simple people who only want what is right in this world. So Mary Magdalen would understand why any of us weep I am sure.
Thank you, everyone, for your very kind reviews. I honestly did work very hard on this particular poem, trying to get it right. | Good Work!
Written by beatricelouise (202 comments posted) 18th March 2008 | Very nice poem, Josie. I think you did a swell job trying to fit in the metre and yet give such a profound message. I often think of Mary Magdalene. When the Jews wanted to stone her, Jesus said, "He without sin, shall cast the first stone." This is so powerful. It surely puts me in my place.
Enjoyed this very much. More power to you. | Great poem
Written by mr_soul (80 comments posted) 21st March 2008 | I love this poem, you obviously put in a lot of time and effort into this one. I've not been on this site for long, but this is definately the best piece of work I've witnessed on here. I really mean that.
Its so delicate yet with a message so powerful. In this Holy Week, its seems to sum up all that is special about it. I admire the way you compared the suffering of Christ to all the suffering that exists in the world today. It was beautifully achieved.
Two thousand years on, still the life of Jesus is as powerful and relevant as ever. And this poem only goes to emphasise that point. A wonderful, beautiful, passionate poem that stirs the emotions. |
Written by Josie (2496 comments posted) 21st March 2008 | | Well thank you for your kind reviews. I do hope that it has a powerful message for Holy week, and I definitely think that history links well with modern living, for I believe that human nature may not be capable of changing for the better, which is a shame. Patterjack, you are right, but she was a brave woman in her day, and even keeping her name alive is a miracle. Beatrice Louise, you are right and the message is the same: It is easy to condemn people for their wrongs, but be sure you have no badness in yourself first of all. Very wise message. | Just wanted to give my feedback
Written by Nance (85 comments posted) 4th June 2008 | | Even though I read it after Easter, I can't choose but admire the poem, the structure, and especially the sense and the theme of it. It's beautiful, absolutely charming. I like the fourth verse best. It is very universal. Thanks you, Josie! |
Written by Nance (85 comments posted) 4th June 2008 | | I meant "thank you" ) |
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