WHY ANGELS FALL

“Dear child don’t be selfish, 
life’s not always about you” 
“You think we left you all alone; 
yet this simply is not true.” 

Another spoke much quieter, she said, 
“I beg your pardon,” 
“You’ve had the best protecting you, 
Hand plucked, from heavens garden.” 
My response was if that is true 
then please explain, 
how each of them were able 

The youngest one emerged just then 
from underneath my table, 
He was a child of maybe ten 
I wondered how he died, 
With tears falling from his eyes he whispered 
“we have tried,” 
Timidly he approached me, 
a tarnished halo on his head 
Then nearly imperceptibly, 
the youngest angel said, 

“We were beaten quite extensively, 
and for a long, long time” 
“Our wings you see are tattered now; 
and we need our wings to fly, 

It’s hard to sit and listen 
to all that they’d endured 
I realized right then how badly 
my vision was obscured. 
I can't express how dreary it feels 
to witness an angels fall 
An elderly angel shuffled towards me, 
with no wings at all 
while looking deep into my soul, 
he struggled to convey 

“All the demons were a burden, sure. 
but they’re all gone today.” 
“ Sadly one remains unconquered, 
your worst nemesis... is you,” 

We've come bearing hope today 
perhaps that you‘d know what to do 
To slay the beast you’re on your own; 
I heard them loud and clear. 

“I’m sorry,” 
I said loudly, 
to be sure they each could hear 

The beast in there’s enormous 
and nastier than me 
I promised them I’d do my best, 
though surely they could see... 

That I was no contender; 
this wrath will reign down 
Then gracefully a girl approached 
wearing a flowing gown 

Into my ear she whispered, 
a message sent from above 
“All you need is in your heart 
the most powerful weapons love.” 

Heidi Shavill 
2014