The Christmas Angel

 Donna Burgess

Christmas Eve one year ago

And Mommy became an angel

Red halo and red wings all spread out beneath her

Far below on the snowy walk

Far below and she beckons still.

City stretches out before little Mary

Lights like an ocean of stars and Mary thinks of drowning

Barefoot and the ice hurts her tender feet like needles

The winds climb her nightgown like a corpse’s breath

Or like winter’s kiss.

Inside and warm

And Daddy has forgotten dead Mommy.

New Mommy drinks gin and tonic

And has sent Mary to bed, or so she thought

No one will check.

Dead Mommy says Daddy is a prick, and then “Sorry.”

“But they don’t want you.

“They don’t want reminders or burdens.

“But a bit of company would be nice,

“Especially on a cold Christmas Eve.”

Far below on the walk

People step on the spot that Mommy made

Where she went to sleep

Wide-eyed and forever

Little Mary spreads her arms like wings and she is flying

She is drowning in that ocean of stars

Inside and warm 

And Daddy makes new Mommy another drink.

They sing slurred carols

As an angel flies past the window.