The Undetected Angel Poem by Sarah Jane Black

Her wings were folded.
They seemed to be white
but from my view on
The ground, they were
like dark flecks
Of yesterdays beatings pinned
Limply on her back

She didn't fall—
No.
Rung by
Rung on the ladder,
She descended
Down from her cloud
I don't think the
Other angels kicked her out.
I think it was the
awareness and pain
They felt for their
Sister that
Made her leave the clouds.

My Angel's feet were
Dirty, wounded and bare
Like nails had pricked
Her soles for years
Without anyone's notice

The other angel's
Were for once,
Mute—
No song followed in their stunned wake

They dragged their feet now,
Not unlike my Angel.
The pain of seeing my
Angel come down from her safe
Haven day by day—
To see her weak
Soul hang on her body by
Mere threads—
Left us all restless...

Now,
As I watch her progress,
I've learned to watch the piece of sky to the
Left over her shoulder—
Because in that piece of sky
I see God—
Holding her soul while
She cries.
I think I've heard the swan's song.