Who is this woman facing this man?
Head lightly inclined,
eyes wide open, gazing,
hands uplifted, palms upward, surprised;
gorgeously arrayed.
Who is this man facing this woman?
Coming from the right,
profile clear, bearded;
hand outstretched, palm down;
gloriously appareled.
Behind her, two angels hover
reflecting her shape:
behind him, scented trees lean
setting the scene:
below her, a dark opening hints.
All silent witnesses.
The eyes have it:
focus of tension and attention.
One word awakes her: 'Mary'.
One word responds: 'Rabbouni'.
Their hands shape a triangle
at the centre of meeting:
her two, shocked and suppliant;
his one, blessing, calming, sending.
Graham Kings
11 September 2004
The Rt Revd Dr Graham Kings is Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Ely and Research Associate at the Cambridge Centre for Christianity Worldwide.