A Mother's Lament
A Song of the Marian Humiliation at Capernaum (Luke 8:19-21)
You're a hotshot now, A little full of yourself. They love your remedies and your funny tales, But can they love you like I have always loved you? You left one day, without a goodbye, Or a time by when you'd come home. Did you know I made you dinner that night? And shall I stop setting your place at our table? Since you marched off, what am I to do? For I am old, yet one by one my babies fly: Into the woods, into the water, into the night, But can those angels ever love you like I love you? Has the proud voice told you I turn our stone no more, As I could when my strong helper poured grain? I buy my bread alone now, From a nice young girl and her son. Your brother's shows can't draw the crowds like yours, Dancing like the end of the world; But however much as he idolizes you, He will never love you like I love you. Your sister married that zealot from Yoffa; I fear you rebels would get along too well— Take him from my daughter, like the son you took from me. Perhaps when you missed the wedding, that was best. I have given up seeing you marry. No woman can tie you down, Certainly not the one who nursed you, Who loves you more than your river dreamers can. Your father's shop, you paid its quiet. A footstool, a cradle— our old friends still ask; I gave them the name of a boy to the south, Who still cares if his parents need at erev a cane . And yes, I still miss your father. That hole in our hearts will not heal. Understand, nonetheless, through the grief and the absence, I never stopped loving you. I nearly died hiking out to this land; We won't have on Holiday the house any more. May my bones find a smaller place off to the West, Not that you'll ever see it. Just twelve more repayment chodeshim I had; I needed forbearance, not apothegms. All the treasures you taught us to store in our hearts Couldn't stave off the jackals. But you go on and spit in their eyes And call it forgiveness. No matter what your monsters see, They never will love you like I do. But no matter what you tell your moaning fans— Betray me, your family, your home, your name— When you send us away from you, outcasts, I will never cease to love you.