Annunciation

In the leaves
Around the corner of the house
A Christmas rose has bloomed,
An annual miracle
In this bleakest of times,
A sign
To be grasped and understood.
Once angels appeared,
Wings concealed,
Lest fear should overwhelm.
To Mary, the archangel came
Like a salesman at the door:
“Greetings,” he began with a bow,
“Blessed are you among women!”
This was to prepare her
For the impossible news
That would change her forever,
That would fill her
With the holiest of burdens.
I am sent lesser angels,
Humbler visitations,
More mundane burdens.
A flower blooming in the winter cold
Will do for me,
This beautiful thing out of season,
Then a quick flickering in the heart,
And, perhaps, a voice:
“Greetings! The Lord is with you.
Do not be afraid.”
I head out into the day
And look for wings.