Magnificat

There’s little time
for existential angst
when you’re hungry.

Less time for midlife
crises and seven year itches
When the crises are transnational
and violent

When your immune system
rejoices in the miracle of
penicillin, and your
once weak arm flexes again
for a moment before you collapse
The virus at last magnified
in the laboratory

When the rich are not quite removed
from the trough
and it is only the slightly less powerful
proclaiming “It’s our time to eat.”

Your family scattered in the wake of
the hurricane, the civil conflict,
the flood.

And you hear your mother’s voice
After three years, at last
on the other end of a cell phone
or your first every video chat.

Rejoice.

Heard the Magnificat read this morning. I am always amazed when preachers pay little attention to “he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.” I wanted to think about the Magnificat in the context of critical, present day human need. I also wanted to play with some of the language.