just pray it’s not a train.

Well anyhoo, here is a poem I wrote on Christmas Eve, at night:

Ave Maria, gratia plena

I heard a song, one early bright morning,

As I lie across the grass to pray,

It sounded like angels voices,

“Ave Maria, gratia plena!” Is what they say.

And then came a chorus,

Like millions of angles on the ground.

I could see them and their harps of gold,

Then sprouted silver roses, I found.

The voices went on, and my ears rang with sweetness.

And then I saw a light, it came where I stood,

A woman more beautiful than ever,

I cannot explain it! I would tell you if I could!

Her gown was white, her shawl was blue,

And flowers were placed at her feet.

I gasped in amazement, at this beautiful sight.

She said, “My dear child, finally, we meet.”

“I ask you, who are you, my little one?”

She asked me as I gazed at the light.

“But - what is your name and where are you from?”

I asked her in fright.

But I got no answer from this woman,

She just stepped closer and reached out her hand,

“What is your name and where are you from?”

I asked again, but all she said was “I am your friend.”

“Follow me, and you will find love,

Follow me, follow me to above.

Take my hand, and I shall lead you on,

To the green, green grass upon.”

I hesitated, and closed my eyes,

This was a stranger whom I was to go.

But suddenly I felt a hard jolt,

And from then on I still do not know.

But I followed her, something told me,

For she was too beautiful to leave,

“And where are we going?”

I asked, but she just answered, “Believe!”

And as we walked, we walked on far,

We walked some distant together,

I felt so good; I felt such love and beauty.

In sweetness, oh I wish it could have lasted forever!

And then we came to three paths,

“Choose, my little one,”

She said, and my eyes fell upon the roads.

“Choose the correct, and you will find my Son.”

The left road was smooth and flat,

No hard paths along,

All was clean and clear,

I found nothing wrong.

But I looked beyond that clean road,

And I saw what I not know,

It was such pain and torture and fear,

That path I would not go.

The middle road was bumpy at times,

But every now and then it smoothed out.

It was clear, then hard then clear again,

The road changed quite often, as I looked about.

But I looked beyond that confusing road,

And saw what I not know,

It was a cleansing but a painful fire,

Still, there I would not go.

The right path was hard and stiff,

The hills were steep and high.

There were bloodstains on the road,

But a light was in the sky.

Then I looked beyond that hard road,

And saw what made me leap.

It was such beauty and freshness and peace,

That was the road I would keep!

I found pain; my hands and knees were bloodied,

I took a step, but I fell upon the stone and thorn,

But all the way through, the woman was by my side

When I was tired, when I was hurt, when I was worn.

I climbed for miles, fell almost every step.

I cut my hands and skinned my knees,

I wiped the sweat from my face,

As I passed along the green, green trees.

Then I stopped, for I saw something I cannot explain,

In the middle I saw a Throne made of wood,

There was sunlight and fresh air, but silver droplets of rain.

I saw a person sitting upon it, and I received a feeling of good.

I walked on closer, but fire rose before me,

And a black flame devoured the sight,

And no more could I see.

Then I looked, and found myself right,

For this journey was the story of my life.

I realized my faults, and tears came falling down,

And then I saw the beautiful woman standing before me in her gown.

I cried and kissed her feet, and cried aloud in shame,

“Mother, save me! Save me from this pain!”

And she said a word, and my hearing went,

And I saw the flame disappear,

As the road behind me bent,

And there was nothing I could hear.

“Come with me, my little one,

Come and follow the Truth.

For if you follow my way and His,

You will receive the blessed Fruit”

That is what she said,

And I followed.

Then I entered a door,

It was more beautiful than I can tell you!

I passed angels and Saint Peter!

And I knew it was all true.

I was Home,

Home together,

Home, I would stay forever,

In the hands of Christ,

In the Hands of Mary,

In the Hands of Saints.

I heard a song, one early bright morning,

As I lie across the grass to pray,

It sounded like angels voices,

“Ave Maria, gratia plena!” Is what they say.