angels

This is how an angel comes
out of the earth, upwards
from the underworld
when everybody thought
they came from the light wings
of the sky - no

they are massive -
on nights of rain and sleet, split
the soil, splash and muddy the grass
wingspans wide as lakes

wearing mud armour, they crawl
full length up rivers and streams
dam ditches, seep through drains
penetrate walls, barns, chicken coops

unsettle bats with wing-beats
that shake down trees -
remind us, cradled in our prayers
how we like to remain dry,  sheltered.

This is how angels come
mouths full of earth
spitting verses
of poetry.






Miriam Darlington
Photo:  Peter Bowers