Notes About The Poem

Mary's Shrift

Indigenous woman—rarely accompanied by their
white sisters—or their men enter 
through the side door
of St. Peter’s Church.

Here they are boxed in cool stucco,
and stained-glass. A flock of Mexican 
Madonna’s shift today to encompass 
their fairer sister:

Dios te salve, Maria. Llena eres de gracia: El Señor es contigo.
Bendita tú eres entre todas las mujeres. Y bendito es
el fruto de tu vientre:,Jesús.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. 
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is 
the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. 

Santa María, Madre de Dios, ruega por nosotros,
pecadores, ahora y en la hora ... 

drones on—and on—and on

within the heavenly heights of gilded frescos—bleeding—
rainbows prism the room in false light, kaleidoscoping upon
the walls—murals of  brocade, gold-threaded catch random  rays.

Woman anchor the pews with their desires—

Pliant and pleading these mothers beseech Mary to intercede:
for first class citizenship (inside and outside the Church) 
for work, for health, for a better life for their children.

Voices of the lamb bleating; dinner for the wolves, they pray.





SHORT SHRIFT-little or no attention or consideration

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015



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Date: 7/23/2015 1:39:00 AM
Congrats on ur wonderful winning write Debbie!
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Date: 7/23/2015 12:15:00 AM
Debbie, Congrats on your SHORT SHRIFT win. Love SKAT
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Date: 7/22/2015 10:09:00 PM
Women are so often treated as property or slaves to be conquered , such is the brutal nature of dishonorable men. History has not changed that and today in many nations they are actually property owned by the men. Brilliant write, brilliant poetry. Super 7 my friend.
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Date: 7/22/2015 8:27:00 PM
This is stunning, Debbie, works on every level- atmospheric, a sharp commentary and a bitter truth, and that last line is an absolute belter. #7 and a fave, to remind me what really, really good poetry is. Much respect, Viv x
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Debbie Guzzi
Date: 7/22/2015 9:57:00 PM
Thank you so much Viv it really seems to me no one cares for the plight of woman, they simply accept it as the way things are _ BUT I don't- I will never give up!
Date: 7/22/2015 6:18:00 PM
Debbie, on this very meaningful back congratulations on your wonderful win. Hugs Eve
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Date: 7/22/2015 5:52:00 PM
you rally opened my eyes with this write Debbie - many congrats on your win:-) hugs Jan xxx
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Date: 7/22/2015 5:48:00 PM
Debbie, I found myself returning to this poem several times..It pretty well sums up the "short shrift" that women get in the church while being asked to support the efforts of that same church to gain equal rights for others. Thanks for entering this in the contest..
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Date: 7/22/2015 4:04:00 PM
A most brilliant write in English and in Spanish! You are so right women world-wide are still second-class citizens and women particularly in developing countries have to battle multiple social injustices every day! Warmest regards. Pandita
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Date: 7/21/2015 1:25:00 PM
quite a disturbing yet enlihjtening piece, debbie...huggs
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Debbie Guzzi
Date: 7/21/2015 2:42:00 PM
yes the plight of women worldwide is disturbing and women of the 'third world' have it worst of all
Date: 7/21/2015 11:04:00 AM
I'm blessed to read this stunning write of yours my dear friend, Deb. Thank you so much for sharing! More blessings! love lots and big hugs, Leonora
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