A Mid-Spring's Night Tale

Our Lady came to me tonight,
    not as a Moonlit Virgin,
    not as the Light of Dawn,
    or the Wise Woman of Eventide

but as a friend
    who sat beside me
    with words of consolation,
    warm and tender in the candleglow.

With quiet dignity
    she claimed her place
    on cosy sofa cushions —
    not the formal altar set aside for her.

There was no distance between us;
    not of time or space,
    no separation of sacred or profane —
    only the divine and human conversation.

Her gentle chiding and sweet laughter,
    smooth and precious
    as a string of pearls,
    brought a smile to my lips and relief to my heart.

"Such seriousness! and that wrinkled brow,
    how does that honor me?
    Where is a cup of ale and a well-told tale?
    That’s what I want to see!

"Open wide the doors of your earthly home,
    so joy and peace may reign.
    Erase the frown, lift up your heart!
    Life is more than stress and strain.

"Our longing to serve the Radiant One
    can sometimes lead us astray;
    we’re so intense, we’re so sincere,
    we forget the importance of play.

"We live amidst mercy and miracles,
    beauty and grace beyond what mere words can tell!
    God loves us and leads us always,
    All is well, all is well, all is well!

"So kick off your shoes and kick up your heels,
    sing praises and clap your hands.
    Let joyful noises echo across the planet —
    from sea to sea and across all lands.

"Go on, do it now! I dare you!"
    the Lovely Lady said.
    I sat for a moment in prayerful reflection ...
    then got up and stood on my head.