angel-man

(for Omar)


burden
like gravity.

memories
self-select the bruises.

heavy breaths
sound
off.

back
locks to bed.

tears hang
on the cliff of eyelids.

and while
one man tries harder
not to explode
struggles to secure his cool
insulates
whatever ways
his moon cries
when crescent
another man
an angel still
offers permission
to break

and whatever was heavy
becomes alleviated

whatever was bruised
becomes the color of water

and there is the prospect of joy
in these pains
that well up to fall
forming meaning
where poets fail
to find words

tears
interpret the feeling
no song
has been written
for this acute pain

this Other man
this beautiful angel-man
soft and necessary as air
strong
because someone needs him
to be
simply says "hey"

one word
and whatever tone
adding onto the meaning
become the prayer
said moons ago
for this perfect moment
this time to cry
tonight the hourglass
bleeds faster than the wounds

tears be the salve
he feel the flow
on his skin
weakened from drought

across the miles
angel-man holds
this human dam
of a man
celebrated for strength
that has almost killed him
helps him lay burdens down
break
to begin again

perfect timing
this angel-man's "hey"
so he lets go
to let his heart
open up
again