Statue
By Alfred Fournier
of the Virgin Mary
in her flowing blue robe,
hands extended in loving welcome,
stood among grass blades
in front of our house.
I believe you painted her yourself.
Knew every subtle curve of her smile.
Her belly flat again
after miraculous birth.
Innocence intact
after wisemen and dirty stables.
I never knew why she was there,
where we played within her gaze.
As if she were you, Mom,
looking out for our future
from a body frozen in time.
Alfred Fournier is a writer and community volunteer in Phoenix, Arizona. He has a BS in biology from George Washington University and a PHD in entomology from Purdue University. His poems have appeared in Months To Years, the Indianapolis Review, Third Wednesday, Gyroscope Review, Cagibi, and elsewhere. His nonfiction has appeared in Delmarva Review, Lunch Ticket, New Flash Fiction Review, and elsewhere. A Summons on the Wind (2023, Kelsay Books) is his first poetry collection. He lives in the foothills of South Mountain with his remarkable wife and daughter and three mostly harmonious cats. alfredfournier.com.