Mary

By Amanda Palermo

Her name was Mary,

And she was the great Lord’s greatest sin,

And the Lord’s worst decision,

And the greatest sacrifice he ever made.

It was all in vain,

What he did for her.

The light shines on her,

And all the people in Bethlehem called her Mary,

Letting her husband be shocked as she claimed in vain 

That her baby was the son of God, not the son of sin.

Perhaps it was the greatest idea she ever made,

And it was her best decision.

She didn’t know what would lead as a result of her decision,

Only that the neck it saved was her own, her

Body, soul, and mind she made

Sure she kept whole and calm, as she was Mary,

And she performed the greatest sin,

Without knowing the quest to protect the sanctity of her soul was all in vain.

Let the woman unravel, don’t go after it in vain,

Don’t let her screams ruin Lucifer’s decision,

Don’t prevent him from laughing and smiling at sin—

And don’t you dare save her.

Don’t go after Mary,

For it was this fate that she made.

As the quiet settles over the horizon, Lord-made,

She stands still there in vain—

Waiting for someone to call her name, Mary,

But calling her name is not a bright decision.

Let her

And her alone decide what to do with her sin.

This is her sin,

The thing she made,

What she did to her

Own self, what she claimed in vain

And what decision

She dared to make—that Mary

Did make. This was her sin,

Mary’s lie she made,

That, in vain, created the son of God by decision.

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Biography

My name’s Amanda; I’m a sophomore. In school, you can find me hanging out with friends or helping out with club activities. When I’m not at school, I’m usually writing, drawing, or spending time with my momma.

What is your ideal writing environment?

My ideal writing environment is one of two things, both extremes: a quiet, calm, comfortable place (such as my room)—or louder, more chaotic location (such as a family member’s house).

Why did you choose to submit this category(s) of artwork/writing out of the many available category options?

I had learned a lot about sestinas via a project in English, and I think they’re an interesting format.