Mary said
‘Here am I the handmaid of the Lord
let it be with me according to your word.’

there are handmaids
and then there are handmaids
what you make of them
their choices and consequences
depends upon the tale
how you choose to read it, or tell it
child-rearing or parenting
a decision freely made
adventure however challenging
willingly undertaken
or 'choice' that is no choice
subjection by culture, law or force
coerced, imposed, exploited
a baby factory
to be used, used up, discarded

some things don't change
roller-coaster  hormones and emotions
****** changes, welcome or not
the hours and pains of labour
post-partum complexity
the what and how of this child
sleep-deprivation, exhaustion
hopes, fears, love, hate, anxiety
and all the pains of letting go
whether compelled, forced
or because that's what must be
growing into who they should become

said to Mary, said to all mothers
'a sword will pierce your own soul too'


The Annunciation
25thMarch 2025