Friday, May 06, 2011

Poetry Friday: Angels


Questions for the Angel

Excuse me?
Guardian Angel?
I have some questions.

You know how people say
"Your guardian angel's been busy"
When you escape an earthquake
Or when lightning barely misses you?
Well, what about all those other people?
The ones who didn't escape,
The ones whom lightning struck?
Where were their angels?
On coffee break?
Do angels drink coffee?

And why, Mr. Guardian Angel,
Why aren't you enough for me?
Why do I need powerless human beings
When I have your muscly guardianship?
Why am I not satisfied by your cool angelic touch
Or the brush of your wings?

Speaking of wings, why can't I fly?
Sometimes, Angel, it would come in very handy;
Maybe you'd be less busy then,
Because it would be easier for me to dodge.
And maybe I could stumble less, be more graceful,

Do you feel anything, Angel?
You look impassive in the paintings,
Alabaster smooth and white,
Calm, unruffled, free of the storms
That shake me.
Is it that you know how things really are?
And if so,
Would you tell me, please?

You don't talk very much, do you, Angel?

Ruth, from



Delivered out of raw continual pain,
smell of darkness, groans of those others
to whom he was chained--

unchained, and led
past the sleepers,
door after door silently opening--
And along a long street's
majestic emptiness under the moon:

one hand on the angel's shoulder, one
feeling the air before him,
eyes open but fixed . . .

You can read the rest here.


Here's today's Poetry Friday roundup.


Janet said...

Very good questions. Now you should write another poem where the angel answers. :-)

They do look impassive in the pictures, don't they... I never thought about it before.

Mary Lee said...

Yes, Yes, Yes! I, too, want the angel to answer!

Andromeda Jazmon said...

I myself often ask the question what about all those other people? Because I think I have been showered with blessings on blessings.

I think the second poem and the song answer your questions pretty well. or at least put it all in perspective! Thanks for sharing these.

Tricia said...

I really like your angel poem! Deep questions...