Angels

[shewhomust]

ANGELS

In
The days of the Archangel Gabriel
Angeling was definitely macho
Appearing on bleak cold hillsides
Fanfared by hordes with trumpets
Solo visits to lone virgins
Who miraculously became pregnant.

But
All those golden curls and long smoothy dresses
All that gentle ministering
Waiting for and on and around
Supporting, soothing, helping
Women's work that!

So
Angel, my angel
How you have waited on me
Done what I wanted, desired, needed,
Marilyn Monroe Blonde, blue-eyed, Sassy-assed,
What an Angel!

Now
I, myself have never, ever,
Wanted to be a blonde

Jean Beard
1944 - 2008
Angels © 2000

I hope Jean's family won't mind me reproducing her poem here; her recording of it was played this afternoon at her funeral, and it brought her image so vividly to my mind, with her dark curls and her wicked grin, that I couldn't think of any better way to talk about her.