21 Comments
User's avatar
Katie Manning's avatar

"I could swing a lantern / in your rib cage, and you would miss // the light." LOVE!

Tania Runyan's avatar

Thank you, friend!

Jody Collins's avatar

"I could swing a lantern

in your rib cage, and you would miss

the light."

Now, that's a line. Wowzer.

Your imaginative musings of Mary are blowing my mind,Tania.

Tania Runyan's avatar

Thanks so much, Jody!

linda moore's avatar

This is breathtaking. Is there a place where all of the Jesus poems are collected?

Tania Runyan's avatar

That being said, there will be a print collection someday-working on who will publish and when!

Tania Runyan's avatar

Yes … on this Substack. 🤣

Rebecca Cook's avatar

This, "I could swing a lantern

in your rib cage, and you would miss

the light.," is one of the best lines I've ever had the joy of being surprised by.

Tania Runyan's avatar

I’m so glad, Rebecca! Thank you for letting me know!

Rebecca Stultz's avatar

I have often wondered, pondered what Mary and Joseph would have experienced in those nine months between the angels' visits and birthing. It's delightful to read this series and to think about this period of time from a "Jesus in the womb" perspective.

The entire scene of Mary in the river is beautiful. I can feel her relaxation into this second trimester and her unworried acceptance of this child. And the ending, surprising us with a tender and humorous scene of Joseph's untold story, is perfect.

Tania Runyan's avatar

Goodness, Rebecca! 😭😭💕

Kim K. Roberts's avatar

Not familiar with "dinoflagellates," I had to look them up. Mostly marine, but also freshwater. They are single-celled organisms responsible for both red tide and bioluminescence. It's just like Jesus to bless both.

Also, I never thought of the second trimester as "the awkward stage," but more like the Goldilocks period: everything felt just right. 😊 No more morning sickness, but not yet carrying around that bowling ball yet. 🤣

Tania Runyan's avatar

Btw, I’m always looking up microorganisms for these Jesus poems.

Tania Runyan's avatar

Ha, I guess you’re right! I also remember feeling like an indistinguishable blob during the time. 😆

Diane Frisone's avatar

I love all of these!!!!!!

Tania Runyan's avatar

Thank you so much, Diane! They were so fun to write!

Diane Frisone's avatar

now I have to go and read them all !! I love all that has to do with birthing and mothering ❤️❤️

Pam McCarty's avatar

Beautifully written.

Tania Runyan's avatar

Thanks so much, Pam!

Sam dean's avatar

Beautiful.

Tania Runyan's avatar

Thank you, Sam!