To Joseph of Nazareth: Patron Saint of Fathers Dispossessed

Joseph, I too have known that sad angelic word
Visitation 
Which renders a father not-father. 
Your children 
(My seminary teacher told us the angel told you)
Your children would belong to God 
Be sealed to their mother and her 
Husband-God 
(Can’t have God’s son without being sealed 
To God, my seminary teacher said). 
You would be lifted to the highest heaven 
For your gift to God. 

I have not been stripped of fatherhood by God.
That privilege belonged only to you 
(The angel told you that, my teacher told us).
But my children’s courteous mother 
Would like the heavenly court 
To name my children not-my-children 
As earthly court has named me visitor 
And I wonder, 
Oh Father saint of fathers dispossessed 
(Fathers-not-fathers your children) 
Wandering the Heavenly courts 
Do you feel a loss for the children 
You fathered for the Father?

Regard, oh Father, my case,
You who know that visitor
Does not have the ring
Of Father.