Terrible Angel Of Light

Terrible Angel Of Light
© Surazeus
2025 02 04

While she strolls in the busy shopping mall 
Gretel drops bread crumbs to mark out her trail, 
but wanders listlessly with hungry angst 
through endless winding corridors of glass 
past computers and fashionable clothes 
till she stops alone on the windy plain. 

Entering round tent of green embroidered silk, 
Gretel dons long gold silk gown and silver tiara, 
then sits on red velvet cushion at oak desk, 
picks up the quill from feather of the swan, 
dips it in pot of black ink, and begins 
to write lines of verse about love and trust. 

The Raven that followed trail of bread crumbs, 
devouring memories she left on the ground, 
enters the tent with gust of mountain wind, 
and transforms into tall elegant man 
wearing black pants and jacket with red tie, 
then bows and places emerald in her hand. 

Teleported in blinding flash of light, 
Gretel finds herself in white linen gown 
pushing large cart piled with dirty bed sheets 
inside huge brick Magdalene laundry house, 
and thinking about the cute baby boy 
they took away from her after his birth. 

Determined to escape harsh slavery, 
Gretel punches the guard and takes their gun, 
then aims it at director in blue suit 
who trembles as she snatches his car keys, 
then cries in anguish as she drives long road 
winding along the rocky Irish shore. 

Arriving at small town in misty cove, 
Gretel follows shimmering fairy wings 
till she stands before quaint bookstore cafe 
where her long-lost son with pert ponytail 
and hipster beard cooks vegetarian meals, 
then sings Irish ballads while playing guitar. 

Bringing plate of food every afternoon 
to the old homeless woman on the bench, 
Brian chats with her about life and such, 
listening to her wild tales of teenage years 
attending vanlife renaissance festivals, 
amazed at sparkle of joy in her eyes. 

Wading out into surging ocean waves, 
Gretel stretches both arms up to the sky 
and shouts that joy at tragedy of life, 
then floats down into silence of the sea 
where she sees terrible angel of light 
bear her aching body to mindless stars.