On The Annunciation Of Fra Angelico
by Manuel Machado (1874-1947)
The silver carolling of Matins woke
The angel artist from his couch to paint,
While round him throng a rosy chorus quaint
Of cherubs waiting on his brush's stroke.
They guide his hand to set the snowy light
On Mary's brow and o'er her lovely cheeks
To show the eyes wherein her pureness speaks,
To limn her slender fingers amber white.
Their angel wings unto his eyes they hold
So he may copy of their child-like snows
The plumes of him who brought her message here;
Who rays amid his pearly vestment stoled,
His light upon the Virgin's breast of rose,
Like vivid sunburst on some crystal sphere.