Mary

A Lifetime of Christmas Poetry

My mom, Raynette Forister Eitel, passed away in September of 2022, age
85, drifting away into dementia. It was tragic to watch this woman who loved
words, who was a poet and teacher, fade away into wordlessness after a lifetime
of crafting poetry.

Mom had a tradition of writing a new Christmas poem each year and
sending it to friends and relatives. The mailing list grew each year, and
people always told us they looked forward to mom’s Christmas poems. She
published some in a couple little books. There are too many to post just once a
day during the month of December, but I’ll choose some of the best.

Mary
by Raynette Eitel

As many nails, she knew the pounding pain
In prelude to a Hallelujah chord.
“For on this night…” began the sad refrain
Her lips moved in communion with her Lord.

The awful thirst could not prevent her prayer—
Nor taste of vinegar upon her tongue.
She drank the cup which no one else could share,
While shepherds hid their eyes and songs were sung.

The pain was as a spear thrust through her side,
Then one bright star proclaimed the pain was done.
And as a mother hushed the Babe who cried,
The Father gave the world His only Son.