Angel Dust

An angel fell to the earth one day

And lay with a broken wing,

I saw her lying out on the path

And thought I was seeing things.

‘Are you really what I think you are?’

I said, but I saw she cried,

So picked her gently up in my arms,

‘I’d better get you inside.’

 

Her tears were staining her pale white cheeks,

And weeds were caught in her hair,

The wing was twisted and limp, I saw,

And I couldn’t help but stare.

‘I think I must look a fright,’ she said,

And dabbed away at her tears,

‘I flew straight into a plane, and still,

The engines ring in my ears.’

 

I laid her down on the couch inside

Stood back, was taking her in,

‘I thought you couldn’t be seen by men,

You’ve set me to wondering!’

Her dress was white, but was stained with mud

From the place she’d lain, by the gate,

And on the wing was a trace of blood

While feathers fell in the grate.

 

‘We’d best get that in a splint,’ I said,

And busied myself a while,

Tearing a sheet into long white strips

And setting the kettle to boil.

‘I’d take you down to the hospital

But the shock would be hard to gauge,

They’d probably call in the military,

And lock you up in a cage.’

 

‘I only came to escort you in,’

She said, ‘and now all this fuss.

You should have been walking the street by now,

And due to be hit by a bus!

They’re going to be mad when I get back home,

I’ve botched the eternal clock,

And you’ll live on past the danger zone,

While I’ll end up in the dock.’

 

An icy shiver ran down my spine

Like someone walked on my grave,

‘You say I was going to die today,

But you were late, so I’m saved!’

‘If you can see me you’re still not safe

Beware of all things on wheels,

They’ll have to revise your life spell now

If a few more years appeals.’

 

‘I’ll take whatever you’ve got,’ I said,

‘I’m not quite ready to go,

There’s too many books I haven’t read,

And women to, well, you know!’

They must have made a decision then

For the wind blew through in a gust,

Instead of an angel, sitting, there

Was a cloud of Angel Dust.

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Mark]

Can't remember when I've ever heard of "Well, YOU know..." accruing any bonus points with Da Big Guy... Usually, as I recollect, the opposite was the case. Alas, probably a Southern Hemisphere thing... And I question the wisdom of anticipatory rapturing of "Well, YOU know!" with a female angel, particularly one presently indisposed AND in your debt: that's one heckuva fantasy you've got going on there, my friend!

[Onyia-Ali, Kingsley Chu..]

This really a narrative poem. Heart touching and full of imagery. Well written.

[Colorado Brian]

Great story. Unique and interesting to read.

[Avinash]

This poem has an ironic beauty into it which can give birth to many other works. It sounds like a beginning of one of the best romances we ever heard of.

[A Soap Mess Stories]

A different kind of tale, David, well told...

[Valentine]

Very nice write, a sweet tale for a change. Too bad more of the soon to depart can't have the same fate. Good one Mate..lol Kathie

[Woody]

what a sweet tale and a fabulous ending, David! I won't say any trivialities after what emmajoy said.

[Marie]

A lovely fairytale sort of poem, with a beautiful ending.

Incidentally, angels usually make themselves invisible when they visit earth. This one was obviously too shocked to do that. I'm sory she ended up in a cloud of dust; I hope it wasn't permanent.

[emmajoy]

'‘I’d take you down to the hospital ~ But the shock would be hard to gauge, ~ They’d probably call in the military, ~ And lock you up in a cage.’

BRILLIANT! As ever!

Don't think there's a writer in the Cafe to match your skills at metred poetry, David. Plus, plus, plus you always display a tale of sorts - whether it be imaginative or based on deeds or events from the past.

The addition of gothic darkness in his might have been death is very clever too.. i wasn't expecting that because it's such a contrast with the gentler, sadder first half.

A marvellous post, yet again, thank you so much for sharing!