She stands upon a marble globe with hands held open,
symbolizing perfection, motherly love and comfort of soul.
Serenity flows from her face and from the lines of her robe,
and yet, her right hand is maimed.
Was she toppled as the warning of a wrathful God?
Or was the quake caused by vandals
rocking the globe on which she stands until she fell,
later to be found but not able to be made whole again?
By chance, divine wrath, or mortal violence—does it matter?
She stands again, serene and mostly mended.
She did not retire to the place where
broken madonnas relinquish the world in despair.
This Madonna with the broken hand stands again,
palm open, inviting all to receive and give love’s comfort
without a pointing finger.
Category 2 (2ND Place)