I'VE SEEN THE ANGELS CRY

I have always thought that angels
wore halos and wings of white
But now I find they wear hard hats
and black coats with yellow stripes.

And angels, in my mind, wore long
flowing gowns of white
But now I see dark pants and shirts
and badges shining bright.

And angels always floated with
bare feet above the ground
Not true! For they wear steel -toed boots
and go where death is found.

Not all angels have smooth hands
that look like porcelain
Some angels have torn gloves and cuts
and burns upon their skin.

And while I thought all angels
glowed FROM heavens light
I see an angel cutting steel
his torch is shining bright.

And while these earthly angels
passed buckets of debris
The angels up in heaven looked
down on bended knee.

So while the smoke continued
to rise INTO the sky
I watched the rescue workers weep-
I've seen the angels cry.

Bonnie McDaniel 17, Sept 2001