All the little Mary maids Were kneeling on the green, For God was looking down from Heaven To choose Himself a queen. There was Mary from the bill, Mary of the fold, And Mary out of Herod's house, Whose dress was stiff with gold. Mary down from Nazareth Bent lowlier than the rest To nurse a little wounded bird That nestled in her breast. Gabriel came across the grass That blossomed where he trod. Diamond-white his helm and cloak As fits a prince of God. Like a silver bell his voice -- Each lassie lent an ear, Save Mary with the crippled bird, Who did not even hear. Past their eager eyes he went To kiss her drooping head And whisper so that only she Could hear the thing he said. Luminous wings around her fell At the angel's word. What was in your heart that day, Our Lady of the Bird? Silently the Marys all Went home to hill or fold. Princess Mary stamped her foot And tore her gown of gold. But Mary down from Nazareth Still knelt upon the sod And nursed the little wounded bird -- She named it @3Child o' God.@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A CERTAIN POET ON THE DEBATES by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE VOICE OF SPRING by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS STRANGE HURT [SHE KNOWS] by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES WARREN'S ADDRESS [TO THE AMERICANS] [AT BUNKER HILL] [JUNE 17, 1775] by JOHN PIERPONT A BLACKBIRD SUDDENLY by JOSEPH AUSLANDER THE VALEDICTION by RICHARD BAXTER PSALM 90 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE |