Mary

What shall I tell him now?
Must I lie? Pretend up through
the home taking that I’m still virginal?
Ah no.
I’ve quickened so
and the fetal bump already shows.
The raping soldier did his work too well.

And how the telling swelling might just be
the death of me.
And if not death, disgrace.

Is there any mercy
to now be had at Joseph’s hand?
Oh god –  yes, yes, I’ve said your name.
How not?
For like some mother witnessing
the last breath of a tortured son,
I am, I fear, undone.

Yahweh has forsaken me
and left me in distress
and to my shame
to bear the name Adultress.