What would it be like to learn you would carry the infinite God within your womb? This ekphrastic poem (fr. Gk ekphrasis, a rhetorical exercise of describing a work of art) follows Botticelli’s lead in opening up a space of consciousness between Gabriel’s message and Mary’s bold acceptance. The poem is both meditation and art criticism. It…

A poem for Advent by the Metaphysical poet and Anglican divine John Donne, from La Corona, a seven-part sonnet cycle. Nativitie Immensity cloystered in thy deare wombe, Now leaves his welbelov’d imprisonment, There he hath made himselfe to his intent Weake enough, now into our world to come; But Oh, for thee, for him, hath th’Inne…

Virgin Annunciate by Antonello da Messina Again.     Closer. This time only one hand startles, Losing her place in the book of hours. The other goes on worrying the light Habit of modesty protecting the angels. Will it be the image bound to emerge from this blur of words Shuddering through her? A full moon of the…