The Dispassionate Punishment, by Gary Glauber

The Virgin Spanking the Christ Child before Three Witnesses: Andre Breton, Paul Eluard, and the Painter, by Max Ernst (Germany). 1926.

The Dispassionate Punishment
 
The Virgin wears a flattering low-necked
form-fitting neon red garment that clings tightly
and flatters her very bounteous natural gifts.
Her halo rests firmly in place, as the painting
on the wall, its love triangle’s participants
closing their eyes in passion’s embrace,
are unable to see her hand raised to chastise
her godly charge, prone in her lap,  
flailing somewhat, awaiting the blow.
She hides half in shadow, staring off in thoughts
entirely unrelated to the important task at hand.  
Everyone acknowledges the blessings
of the feted miracle birth,
but none dare appreciate
the politic discipline necessary
in carefully raising another’s child.

Gary Glauber

Gary Glauber is a poet, fiction writer, teacher, and former music journalist.  His works have received multiple Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net nominations. He champions the underdog to the melodic rhythms of obscure power pop. His two collections, Small Consolations (Aldrich Press) and Worth the Candle (Five Oaks Press) and a chapbook Memory Marries Desire (Finishing Line Press) are available through Amazon.

This poem was first published in Heavy Feather Review.