ANGEL

Amid the departed, I stand, clad in
light and the Seasons'
vagaries. Time His passage marks
upon my once pure white
form, upon marble wings a young
artist hewed from ancient,
unblemished stone, devotion in his
heart and dawn's glow in his
eyes, untainted by vulgar passions
and the glitter of gold.

Elms and clouds mirror the curves
of pinions that never
shall bear me through the ether.
Nay, an endless vigil in this
forlorn, faraway field of human ruins,
beloved and forgotten alike,
is my benediction. Tears and smiles
the stillness suffuse; remorse,
true and by fear inspired, as kinfolk
tell of burdens to those that 
neither hear nor speak.

Before my quiescence, they bide awhile,
eyes raised in mute appeal, 
for my arms raised heavenward enkindle 
awe in the most hardened 
unbeliever. Comfort they seek; such 
they would find in profuse 
blooms stifled voices send forth through 
the earth, as their most 
resplendent smiles in death they wear,
for the Summer sun shines
upon saint and sinner alike. Alas, the
living have no need of their song.
Sole the cold marble heart of this lone
sentinel does it cheer.

© 2015 Lily's Verse

Lilium Candidum

Image: ANGEL
Source: galleryhip.com
Artist: Abbott Handerson Thayer

Image source: angelsonthestreet.org