The Annunciation by Linda McCullough Moore

A young girl, swarthy, shabby surely, sweaty if the sun

is high, clammy if night’s fallen. Black hair slack, full,

it doesn't say; it says the angel came; the article intended:

the. It says the angel came and said, Hail, thou who are

highly favored, or graciously accepted, or much graced;

Appellations worth translating, paraphrasing. Thrice.

Given every chance to get it right. He says, You have found

favor with God. We know how it was lost, but how exactly

is it found, and if it is, does Jesus come in embryo or in

indwelling in some other way each time. How is favor found?

Did St. Paul curry such, he so very chosen. It’s almost like two

different Gods. One for Mary. One for Saul. We will insist upon

some replicable, formulaic way of doing these things. Paul did

not invite consideration, sent no invitation, raised no expectation

of welcome or regard. Mary, unlike he, was not struck blind, not

even inarticulate. She will inquire as to particulars, conceiving

of conception in the only way it's ever happened in the history

of the world. I have never thought to see St. Paul. But I would

like to see her sitting there. (I do not think an angel comes when

you are standing.) I’d like to catch a glimpse of her before what

we have done. Before in 1854 the decision that her mother be a

virgin too. Her lineage spruced up, redone. Before we crowned

her with a regal glory, long before her very skin turned pale, her

features porcelain or marble, Aryan. All dressed in blue in beauty.

Her other sons and daughters as though they had never been, their

mother canonized. Just to see her for a minute as she was, young,

and green, not yet expectant of much more than a pious husband,

a small quiet life. But, having just found favor in the eyes of God.

I’d like to see her face. On that one day. When favor was enough.

Linda McCullough Moore is the author of two story collections, a novel, an essay collection and more than 350 shorter published works. She is the winner of the Pushcart Prize, as well as winner and finalist for numerous national awards. Her first story collection was endorsed by Alice Munro, and equally as joyous, she frequently hears from readers who write to say her work makes a difference in their lives. For many years she has mentored award-winning writers of fiction, poetry, and memoir. She is currently completing a novel, Time Out of Mind, and a collection of her poetry. www.lindamcculloughmoore.com