In the developing Christian tradition over the early years,
the virginity of Mary was a later doctrinal development,
perhaps driven by a negative attitude to womanhood.
Perhaps introduced to counter the birth stories
already embedded in other religions,
and conventiently capturing
the quotation from Isaiah.

Does the lack of realism in virginity
even after giving birth,
let alone conception,
undermine orthodox doctrine fatally?

Of course it does not!
The blind guides continue to rant their message
and reap a following of "the faithful"
happy to adhere, unthinkingly,
to a literal understanding
of metaphore and myth.

But what else could it imply
of innocence and love and hope?

..