Angels
A trove of angels fills my mind--
how in Renaissance paintings they can shape
themselves into whatever forms they choose,
round-bottom cherubs or just curly haired heads
with faces beaming down on people at picnics,
or appearing at the Annunciation
with glittering wings and robes rustling
with the news whispered in Mary's ear,
or appearing as full-bodied robed men
wringing their hands in lament
over the death of Christ,
their wings at a standstill in midair,
or flying to the rescue, golden hair lifted
in the wind, hand staying
Abraham's hand poised to strike
Isaac's taut, tender neck, the knife glowing
in the stream of light--
Abraham passing his test of faith,
or obscured by night,
the strong-armed shadow
Jacob wrestled with until daybreak--
Jacob winning the match over his darkness.
Janet Krauss enjoyed teaching English at St. Basil Seminary for 29 years and Fairfield University for 39 years. She continues to mentor students. lead a poetry discussion at the Wilton Library, participate in the CT. Poetry Society Workshop and other poetry groups. She is the Poetry Program Director of the Black Rock Guild. She has 2 books of poetry: Borrowed Scenery (Yuganta Press) and Through the Trees of Autumn (Spartina Press). She is a widely published poet and many of her poems have been published in Amethyst Review and her haiku in Cold Moon Journal.
Amethyst Review 