What to Look for in an Angel

What to Look for in an Angel

Show me an angel! cynics sneer.
She is not an angel. She can't fly.
He can't be an angel, he stumbled
just now. I want Super. I want Wonder.
Show me miracles, show me tricks.
Tell me how these so-called angels
are any different from you or from me.
Let me arm-wrestle one and we'll see!

All I can say is, here I stand,
alive and well and full of hope.
Not that angels can't be human.
Not that one can turn thunder
and lightning into whipped cream
and lavender sky. All they really do is
listen. All they really do.
is open the doors
to their hearts and souls and invite
us in. Don't let us out 'til we're ready
to fight off the blues and get cracking.
Can take baby steps back to our old selves.
Pooh on angels having to be superhuman.
Think what a human is capable of.
when he or she loves the way love
should be loved. Angels who stepped into
my life – not flew, mind – simply cared
enough to give their very best. Believe
in angels? They're not asking you to.
Point is, there are those who believe in you.
Listen not for the flutter of wings, but "Let
me hold you, let me help you. Grieve,
honey, get it out. Then tell me
what I can do to help. Work things out
together, but for now lay your head down
and rest. That's it. You'll be all right!
. . .Oh my, could that be an angel you see?
.

Phyllis Jean Green