What did that nameless Angel really say
That Monday
When the women approached the cave
Teary eyed
Bearing herbs and balm?
Did the being of light speak of an amazing
Rekindling of life to be announced
Joyfully far and wide across the land?
Or did the pensive
Winged creature
Look them
In their wide-open eye
And rant that this wasn’t the last
Mighty crime to be committed
By the offspring of Adam and Eve
That cursed species would persevere
Down through the centuries
In maiming and snuffing
Life in its manifold forms
Til the Earth lay barren
And awaste
It would invent evermore
Deadly devices and apply
Its intelligence
Apply its art
Apply its heart and soul
To thoroughly destroying the Garden
Outraged the women
Picked up sticks and stones
And chased away the Being
Bearing such news of darkness
Together they concocted a story
Settling on what they believed
A better version
Of the facts present
And future
Hoping it would hold water
That at least some of its beauty
Would leave a mark.
Pina Piccolo, Angel’s Monday 2022