Angels in America: a Poem

I heard that seventy-percent

Of people here in a recent poll

Believe in angels, which I find

Very interesting on the whole.

 

It's quite all right if people want

To believe in their hearts that angels exist.

But I admit that I'm a skeptic

And do not want to be on that list.

 

I bet that most believers, however,

Do not think that angels have wings

And sit around in flowing gowns,

Holding their harps and plucking the strings.

 

Angels, spirits, ghosts, and demons

Are interesting and make great stories.

I find them entertaining, and I

Place them in similar categories.

 

Mythological characters

Are fascinating, and I suppose

That from our human collective unconscious

Such fantastical figures arose.

 

Do you believe in guardian angels?

Again, it's perfectly fine if you do.

Mine are doctors, nurses, teachers,

Friends, and paramedics, too.

 

So if I tell you that you're an angel,

You know I mean it figuratively.

It means you're special, and that is something

About which we would both agree.

 

-by Bob B (7-30-23)