thank you, Angel
-for coming into our lives
-for leaving your father's side

he said to you, "go"
and swiftly you came

the body is weak
but, surely,
you took on your fleshly shell
as if it were armor

he said to you,
"live as they live"
so, in pain you were
in the long cold days
you shared with us

like anyone of us
you were born innocent
and, as we do,
you grew into fool-hearted things

we did not know you, Angel
for, though the lord gave us eyes to see,
he also gave us the free will to look away
which we do so well

we have blinded ourselves
by pointing our fingers angrily
like mad little children

you were a gift of love
that we tossed around
and left behind
and condemned for your tattered wings
and rag doll stance

with a needle, you tried to stitch yourself
to mend the world's disrepair
and now you have flown away
back into your father's arms
leaving a stitch upon our hearts
and cleansing tears within our eyes

we love you, Angel
we are fools and we learn too late
but, you have served you father well

(for my dear friend Mandy who passed from this world far too young)

© Michael Paul Reed