An Angel came to me
Today
To give me my word
For the new year

“Hail, Mary, full of grace”
She did not say

She threw a ball at me
It smacked me in the head
Because I was not paying attention
And did not catch it

I sat down in a funk
What kind of aspiring mystic
Gets only an angel
Who wants to play ball

“You are a budhisattva”
She did not say

She brought me a tiny nosegay 
Of late blooming vinca
And still green grass
And laughed as she sprinkled
Them on my head
And dance-ran away

Sighing I got up
And went inside
To wash some dishes
Because I

Like washing dishes; I
Understand washing dishes

There, in the kitchen, the little kitchen 
My love and I designed and made
There, with my hands
Plunged in warm soapy water
I shivered.

“You are earth goddess”
She did not say

But, with delicate fingers,
She flicked warm soapy water
At my face
And disappeared

My love came up
Against my back
“I don’t think I’ve had my morning kiss”
He said

I turned smiling
And gave him my lips
We lingered
Our kiss lingered
Until we looked at each other
And smiled

“You are fun”
My angel said
As she managed
A cartwheel
In our small kitchen

“Be playful”
She smiled
As she zip-flew
Tumbling and swirling
High and higher