Seven Sorrow Swords

(The Feast of the Seven Sorrows of Mary)

Old Simeon warned her seven swords of sorrow
would pierce her heart, presenting her new Son;
far Egypt she and Joseph had to borrow,
as Herod thought by killing kids he’d won.

When He was twelve, three days she suffered loss,
‘til teaching temple teachers He was found;
at thirty-three, while bearing His cruel cross,
she met Him bloody, falling to the ground.

She hoped she’d seen the last of these sad harms,
when by the cross she still stood as He died,
then there in pity, held Him in her arms,
and viewing them, we have for centuries cried.

Last, at the tomb, a seventh sorrow sword
was buried in her heart for her dead Lord.

                             by Pete Voelz     9/15/14