After the Meltdown

by Debra Herlocker

“Madonna and Child” — soapstone, ivory (walrus tusk), and fur. We picked this up on our Alaska trip in 2022. My wife is a sucker for madonna and child artwork, and I’m a sucker for making my wife happy.

After the meltdown
There was peace

I assure you my meltdown was justified.
My fiancée returned from visiting her cousin…
Three months pregnant

She’s a wonderful girl
I’m a God-fearing man
How could she?

I railed against her
I railed against God
I railed against the unfairness of it all

Then, in my dream,
An angel appeared
I railed against the angel

“Don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife.”
How could I?
“She conceived by the Holy Spirit…”
Indeed!

“You will name the child Jesus.”
I don’t even get to name my wife’s son?

But when I woke up,
When the meltdown was over,
There was peace

I took Mary as my wife
And we wait, in peace,
For the baby to be born.