Scenes in the life of a lesser angel
by RAINA J. LEÓN
I.
I borrow wings from other angels, coast
the streets to find feathers loosely attached
to slender silver ties. With care, I close the catch
and fasten cardboard stiffened form so close
I cannot breathe or fly for the air
pushed out into a world in masquerade.
I am African. I am goddess with flare
sounding the trumpets. I call out God.
Meaning changes like sea water in storm.
I part the crowds until, beaten, my wings
fly, fall, litter the streets. I cradle the newborn
twins and realize that I am fallen,
a lesser angel, wingless and depressed.
I am seductress unpetaled, undressed.
Raina J. León, “Scenes in the life of a lesser angel” from CANTICLE OF IDOLS. Copyright © 2008 by Raina J. León.
MoSt will post a poem by a Black poet each day through the month of June.