Marian Poetry: "Annunciation"

We continue our celebration of Mary’s month of May with a poem written by John Donne, entitled “Annunciation.” These simple and beautiful words remind us that the Incarnation of Christ, Our Lord and Savior, was announced through the message of an angel to Our Blessed Mother—and in announcing it to Mary, it was announced to the whole world. During this month of Mary, we remember her faith, her confidence in the Lord, and her love for not only her Son, but for all of us. And we thank her for her powerful and gracious fiat, one we attempt to mirror in the world today: Let it be done to me according to Thy Word.

Annunciation

Salvation to all that will is nigh;


That All, which always is All everywhere,


Which cannot sin, and yet all sins must bear,


Which cannot die, yet cannot choose but die,


So, faithful Virgin, yields himself to lie


In prison, in thy womb; and though he there


Can take no sin, nor thou give, yet he'll wear


Taken from thence, flesh, which death's force may try.


Ere by the spheres time was created, thou


Wast in his mind, who is thy Son and Brother;


Whom thou conceiv'st, conceiv'd; yea, thou art now


Thy Maker's maker, and thy Father's mother;


Thou hast light in dark, and shut'st in little room


Immensity, cloistered in thy dear womb.