The poem “Pieta” is a wonderful poem composed by Madeleine L’Engle on how much Jesus had transformed because of his resurrection. This is noticed most importantly by his mother, Mary, who in encountering her Risen Son, that he was not the same baby to whom she gave birth, nursed, cradled in her arms, raised, and saw executed. He had changed, and his change is a source of grief for her and a source of wonderment, as she once more, lets go of him when his mission is fulfilled.

This is a powerful, very powerful poem.

PIETA

The other Marys radiated joy.
The disciples found the truth hard to believe.
There had to be breaking bread, eating fish,
before they, too, even Thomas, were lit with
joyfulness. Not much was said about me.
I said good-bye to the son I carried within me
for nine months, nursed, fed, taught to walk.
On Friday when they took him down from the cross,
I held the son I knew,
recognizing him in my arms,
and never saw him again,
not my body’s child. How could I laugh, weep tears
of joy?
Like the others, I failed to recognize him;
the Christ who rose was not Bethlehem’s babe…
And it was right. For this was meant to be.
Here in my head I would not have had it otherwise.
But empty arms still longed for familiar flesh.
My joy, a sword that pierced through my heart.
I understood, more, perhaps, than the others
when he said that he could not stay with us—
that it was better if he went away,
was one again with God, his Father.
And when the Spirit came
I once again could love my son
and know my Lord. If Easter came later for me than
for the others,
its brilliance was as poignant and bright.

L’Engle, Madeleine. The Ordering of Love