Version 2: A Modern Man’s Prayer to the Maria-Goddess

Version 2: The Reckoning

Oh Maria,

When did you decide to leave me?

Was it when I dragged you by your hair to my cave,

To fornicate against your will?

Was it when I placed you in a servant and merchant role,

Diminishing all your strengths and abilities?

Was it when I put you on display as a symbol of status,

Yet still treated you like a second-class being?

Was it when I locked you inside a building,

Forced you to make it a home where I could rest,

And then never acknowledged your hard work?

Was it when you told me you wanted more in life,

And I laughed at you,

And barred the doors to keep you from achieving it?

Was it when I burned you at the stake,

In the public square,

For daring to speak?

Was it when I blamed you for being beautiful,

Forced you to cover yourself,

To shield your own radiance—

Only to demand you reveal it at my command?

Was it when I shamed you for seeking pleasure,

While I indulged in the same,

And called it my right?

Was it when I put you in charge of the home,

Of the chores I refused to do,

And still belittled you for it?

Was it when another man tarnished your honor,

And I stood by,

Did nothing,

And then joined them?

Was it when you became a victim of another man,

And I defended his actions,

So I wouldn’t have to acknowledge

That I am both your enemy and your protector,

That I failed at the latter,

And became the former?

Was it when you finally danced again,

When you finally smiled,

When you finally recognized yourself—

And I told you to stop,

Because it wasn’t decent?

Was it when I called you stupid,

When it was I who kept you from learning?

When it was I who built a world designed to keep you caged?

Was it when you told me you had the wisdom

To fix this broken world,

And I told you to go back to the kitchen?

Was it when you finally found love,

Real love,

In the arms of another man,

And I killed you for it?

When will you come back to me, Maria?

Will it be when I force you to return,

And call it love?

When I tell you it is your duty to care for me?

When I strip you of your power,

And place you in the role I demand of you?

I sure do miss you.