Fallen Angel
To say her goodbyes, she was forced to wait,
'til final mourners long since departed.
Twin jet-black feathered wings shaken out straight,
forever alone and broken-hearted.
Celestial voyeur she'd once proudly been,
observing Mankind from Heavenly seat.
Had focused on one, much to her chagrin,
a pure, honest man, no trace of conceit.
His visage framed in a crystalline pool,
her window to the Mortal world below.
The Sisters of Fate can be so cruel,
she was thus smitten but did not yet know.
This tortured soul whose beloved had passed,
consumed by anguish; pain so exquisite.
Witnessing despair, she was so aghast,
his salvation became her requisite.
Shielded from the eyes of all on the Earth,
into his ear, she breathed words of support.
Angelic whispers gave meaning and worth,
that was her mission, her task, her purport.
As night followed day and day followed night,
the sun and the moon performed ageless dance.
Her efforts gave him, from grief some respite,
guilt-plagued as unwont thoughts turned to romance.
Love morphs the noblest of us into fools,
for utterly she was within his thrall.
If feelings confessed, she'd break all the rules,
just one option left: to let herself Fall.
Poised for a moment, instincts flittering,
golden halo clutched in unsteady hand.
Shattered to a thousand shards, glittering,
she sloughed off the remnants of divine band.
Presence revealed to him without restrain,
the object of her affections struck mute.
Sight of an angel made flesh on this plane,
his frail human mind just could not compute.
Burden of asinine actions immense,
no going back home, just personal Hell.
Unceasing vigilance for decades hence,
unseen at his side in locked padded cell.
Weary head lolled; terminal breath rattled,
his blank stare replaced by affirming smile.
The culmination of time embattled,
that moment worth her being in exile.
Ethereal form freed from fragile husk,
prompted streams glistening from both her eyes.
His final day on Earth had reached its dusk,
spirit joined that of his love in the skies.
To say her goodbyes, she was forced to wait,
'til final mourners long since departed.
Twin jet-black feathered wings shaken out straight,
forever alone and broken-hearted.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
(C) John C Michaels, 18 August 2017
For the "Fallen Angel" contest sponsored by Laura Loo.
(3rd Place)
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