i was far away
when the messenger came to you,
her voice wispy white
     it is time

and you readied yourself for the climb,
packed bags just so
then hoisted them on capable shoulders
and breathed stout sea level air
as your heart beat its thanks, thunderstruck

but it wasn’t time.
you were set, but the mountain
was still finding its shape
under furrowed drifts—
smoothing ancient footprints
wiping stones until they gleamed
ready for scrabbling feet.

and i was far away still
the evening you set out,
but i could see your eyes aflame with the work
not of climbing, but of flinging wide your pack
and tossing your provisions over the cliff
one by one, until the pack splayed empty.
i could see this,
because i know the mountain,
how it drains and fills,
splits open and heals.

when at last we spoke,
a child lunged from my hip toward your glad news;

i think i am old elizabeth,
and you are the blessed one now.



The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
“…Most highly favored lady, Gloria.”
-“The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came”

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’ -Luke 1