Original is in blue watercolor wash, a painting by John Gibson.
In Blue Veils
Celebrate the mystery
We drape her in silk veils of blue
and blur the lines of fame and truth.
We speak of heaven; say we know her.
The mother we paint in azure.
We behold her framed in gold.
She’s the lapis lazuli of the Silk Road.
Her constancy like ocean waves
rocks and cradles the Son she gave.So we drape her, cover her face.
Imagine a beauty—a place
we cannot touch. If she could see
through this broken glass, our uncertainty,
Would she want to craft us anew?
Cover us, too, in shades of blue?
–Margaret Simon, from Illuminate
Click here to read more #spiritualjourney posts. Thanks Holly for hosting this roundup!
Margaret, the various parts of your blog paint a portrait of a woman bathed in graceful blue who brings us a very special gift this Christmas. The sensitivity of your words, “Her constancy like ocean waves
rocks and cradles the Son she gave.” illuminates the canvas of the painting and brightens an image in my heart. The thought, “If she could see through this broken glass, our uncertainty,Would she want to craft us anew?,” is a unique compliment to the painting that blurs the lines of reality of who we are and what we can give to the Lord. “Crafting us anew” brings a new sense of meaning to Christmas. Thank you for the three pieces of your blog that open my eyes this morning.
Your father’s painting is both sorrowful and joyful, and your poem captures both those emotions. The last two lines are just beautiful. I, too, posted a Pentatonix video. They are just amazing, aren’t they?! I just love that song, “Mary, Did You Know?”
Beautiful post!