Madonna

Ascend, O Mother of All Sorrows

The altar of my verses!

The sword's fury has drawn blood

From thy withered breasts.

Thy eternal open wounds

Are like eyes, red and open.

Ascend, O Mother of All Sorrows

The altar of my verses!

In thy shriveled hands

Thou holdest thy Son's body,

Revealed to all mankind-

But mankind's gaze is turned away

From thee, O Mother of All Sorrows.