the Flight of 20 Angels

This is a result of dreaded
inspiration:  brought on by shots
of bereaved parents and shattered
glass, their children taken too soon
from sprayed bullets in the temple
of a classroom.  They have fallen
into the hands of the Divine,
yet risen with wings, to alight
upon our hurried frenzy of
Christmas deadlines and parking lot
battles,  frayed nerves and wallets, the
endless waiting.  We looked upon
our children, for one night holding
them closer, their innocent joy
curing our despair, our weary
hope cured by their sparkling wonder.
For one night we forgot bedtimes
seeing our children as if
for the first time, listening as though
their next breath would never come.

12/16/12