Gwendolyn Brooks

A Pentinent Considers Another Coming of Mary

A Pentinent Considers Another Coming of Mary - meaning Summary

Compassion Over Condemnation

The poem imagines the Virgin Mary returning to a troubled modern world. The speaker, penitential in tone, asks whether Mary would forgive contemporary sinners and accept a new, imperfect setting. Rather than condemning or withdrawing, Mary is pictured as compassionate, ratifying this era and placing her child among us. The closing assertion — that she "would not punish men" — emphasizes mercy over judgment.

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If Mary came would Mary Forgive, as Mothers may, and sad and second Saviour Furnish us today? She would not shake her head and leave This military air, But ratify a modern hay, And put her Baby there. Mary would not punish men - If Mary came again.

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