-- Even in Paradise --

John Herlihy

Two angels, beaming in light, were talking sprightly,

Great friends who came together to converse quietly.

As guardians of two earthlings, they came to wonder,

What it might mean to be human, they often ponder.

“They make their own decisions of their own free will.

While we decide nothing,” one said, “indeed a bitter pill.”

The other angel closed its eyes of light and finally said:

“Our hearts stream in golden waters, their hearts bled.”

The baffled angel’s reply: “They often get what they earn.

Work hard, make mistakes, this is the way they learn.”

The other’s reply: “Some never learn from their mistakes.

They know what they should do, but have not what it takes.”

“But they take deep interest in things, have burning desire.

They are generous, brave, loving, their hearts on fire,”

A wise reply: “Dangerous if they have the wrong desire.

You know very well that can lead to burning in Hell’s fire.”

“When humans look into the mirror, they see the night.

The day has its moment, but they await the moonlight.”

The other angel frowned: “But we do not see who we are.

When we angels look into the mirror, we see only light.”

“They speak so eloquently in order to express what they mean.

They wax lyrical, evocative, poetic, more than what they seem.”

“Indeed,” the other said, “they can be rough, vulgar, crude.

In saying whatever they want, they can end up merely rude.”

What of their individuality and personality, each unique in name?

While we may shine brightly, but still we are all the same.”

The other pondered a moment, then tapped its finger lightly.

“Each unique they may be, but may see through a glass darkly.”

“What of their love, their loyalty, the depth of their emotion.

They laugh, they shed tears, they pray to God in devotion.”

“Fine,” the other said, “but what if their emotions go awry.

Ever hear of jealousy, anger, hatred, doing things on the sly?”

“They speak for truth, take a stand, are willing for a cause to die.

They do things on firm faith, without knowing the reason why.”

“Indeed,” the other frowned. “They steal, cheat, lie thru the teeth!

So eager to speak falsehoods while wearing a laurel wreath.”

“Listen, my cherub, my charge-ling believes in God in simple faith.

No matter what happens, he believes, such a trusting waif.”

The angelic friend kept silent, then bowed its head in respect.

“Some humans believe without seeing, even if they are imperfect.”

“Forget not,” the first angel said, “They live but know they die.

In faith, they give themselves meaning, in truth they never deny.”

“True,” the other said. “we have no faith because we know for sure.

Our hearts are made of light, we never question, nothing endure.”

The two luminous angels still sat together in contemplative repose.

What they were now thinking, nobody in their right mind knows.

There, in no shadows, darkness, doubt, questions, where all is nice.

And yet, they wonder what it means to be human, even in Paradise.

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(c) John Herlihy 28 August 2020