Joseph's Prayer

Lord, I cannot believe
and yet, I must --
that I have been betrayed.
O God, she seemed so pure.

I love her still, though she
has pierced my heart --
no, torn it out,
I cannot bear to see her branded
"unclean," a "harlot."

What if I privately put her away?
No charges. Then it would seem
that I, not she,
had played the rogue.

What's that, my Lord? "Your son?" "Not man's?"
"Son of David," did you say?
"My wife?" O yes, my Lord!
What can I say?
"Mary, my love, my wife, I understand."