The [Almost] Forgotten Angel & Her Prayer

In a box, in a basement, safe but dark and cold,
among tinsel, green garland, and tiny lights of gold,
sat an Angel, a little Angel, who waited with some cheer
to come alive again in season, about this time of year.

She waited for a special sound, the touch to tissue paper
for she’d soon come alive again, as ornaments would caper
up and down a Christmas tree, she didn’t care if live or fake,
for what she wanted most of all, was to be a-light for heaven’s sake.

Oh she trembled as she waited, wanting only just to reign
atop a tree, any tree, where the season would start again.
With anticipated trepidation, the sounds were coming closer,
waiting with tremulous sigh, she wondered how they’d pose her.

Ah, a lift, her box was chosen, next to be unwrapped to light,
“Oh, here I come in Yuletide cheer, my heart is glowing bright!”
Exposed to the day, she was felt and fluffed, then lightly put aside,
she had no fear, but waited with cheer, the time she did abide.

In her corner, she watched with glee as all her friends from past,
were shining brightly, glittering all, then to her a friend was cast,
the Teddy bear, the littlest one, who would join her on this tree,
she smiled at Teddy and he winked, and then the two became three,

As the little golden Dove on wing was put there by their side
Angel smiled at Teddy, then Dove, while time they did abide.
No chatting did they, but simply watched, with sugarplum delight
as the tree began to glitter with white and golden lights.

Soon more time had passed them by, still the three sat up high,
when suddenly Angel gasped as a new light caught her eye.
For upon the tree, their tree, she thought, sat a new angel on wing,
beside the angel, sat a new bear, and a dove, too, that could sing.

Angel looked at Teddy, and Teddy, he looked at Dove,
suddenly it was plain, but they understood with quiet love,
that they had been abandoned, each looked with fresh remorse,
for Angel, Teddy and sweet Dove were fragile from years, of course.

Oh, the sadness that then prevailed, but none would shed a tear,
instead, a creeping coldness dwelt, they each knew some dark fear.
O’er the years of giving light, and joy, and sweet, sweet peace,
they’d never thought in all that time, their life would ever cease.

Now Angel took in silent stock, while her friends sat glum and grim,
thinking, “Well, I guess I didn’t suppose it would ever matter to Him,
that my wings were dusty, or my skirt’s sheen not near as fine
as when the day I was new, but well, I guess it’s our time.”

She looked over at Teddy, yes, he was missing a button eye,
she glanced at Dove, noticed too, her feathers were a bit awry.
She said nary a word, but a silent prayer came from her heart,
for while she still had courage, she knew it the place to start.

“Dear Lord, as you might see, we are faithful in our little world,
and for the season we’ve come forth, our love to you unfurled,
so in your Heaven, your Good Home, where everything is bright,
know my friends and I send to you our love in all things right.”

No sooner had the prayer escaped from the littlest Angel’s heart,
then mistress came near, and placed the three in a tiny and aged cart,
“Here you friends, you’ll be safe, and grace our Christmas this year,
where you can be seen, and be touched, and spread your wondrous cheer.”

Teddy winked with his good eye, and Dove cooed softly too
while Angel, with her palms together, well, she suddenly knew
that He watches over everyone, whether old or plain or new,
that this season and ever more, their faith would shine for you.



©KRJ
2 December 1999
24 December 2001 revised