A storoem about the soul of Man.

The young angel reports to the place
where divine souls are renewed after
return from earthly service. “In case
you’re new, this soul is a disaster,”

instructs an older angel. “See how
black and withered it is? It must’ve had
a bad human on earth; it’s home now.
It’ll shine once we polish off the bad.”

The angel explains, “All humans get
at birth a divine soul to join with
their own human soul. The two halves fit
together forming an active whole forthwith.

“The human part brings the capacity
for various evil traits, such as hate
or greed, which cling with a tenacity
that can ruin what the divine can create.

“The soul has chambers that become filled
during that human’s lifetime with greed
or charity, hate or love, faith distilled
or doubt compounded, uncontrollable need

“for violence or desire for peace,
tolerance or prejudice, anger
or patience…this conflict will not cease
until death. Each bad choice is a danger.

“Evil traits tarnish the soul, causing
it to wither and blacken, whereas
virtues will strengthen the soul, causing
a bright shine like the divine half has.

“At death, we examine the human part,
with its luster and vibrancy judging
their fate – to Heaven or Hell they depart.
Their destiny is set; there’s no fudging.

“The divine part comes here for cleaning.
The shiny, robust ones soon will return
to earth; the worst…centuries intervening.
(After Hitler and his ilk, retirement they earn.)

“If humans were able to see their soul
while alive, it would become certain then
that all the virtues they would extol;
the world would be filled with better men.”