After Rouault’s "Christ and the Woman Saint" by Leslie Bustard

I could be that woman kneeling before Christ.

As he leans in, his eyes look for mine.

I bend my head, unsure of his gaze.

His hand offers me a quiet invitation.

Yes, this could be me. It could be Rachel weeping

or Mary sitting at Christ’s feet. Or

it could be my daughter, my mother, or

my neighbor. Here is Jesus saying, “Come

to me for rest, all you who are weary.”

Sister, for you, too, he offers his hand.

Leslie Bustard lives in a century-old row home in Lancaster City, PA with her husband of 32 years, Ned. Here they raised their three daughters. Leslie writes for The Cultivating Project, shares poetry on Black Barn Online, and is eagerly waiting for her new book Wild Things and Castles in the Sky: A Guide to Choosing the Best Books for Children to be published this spring through Square Halo books. Leslie also loves being with friends and family—laughing, talking ideas, wandering in museums, or eating ice cream with them.