I found an angel lying in the park
Under my favourite tree
I knelt by the angel
Whispered in its ear
But it did not answer me
I touched its skin but it did not move
I put my cheek to its mouth
But felt no breath
Then I closed my eyes to listen
Praying that it would breathe the merest flutter inside me
Without opening my eyes I found its mouth and breathed into it
The angel’s hands found the skin of my face
Like a mother touching its children
It tasted my tears
It knew me
When it spoke it was like the gentlest breeze amongst the leaves
“Now you are breathed”
And I slept where it slept
Under the tree in the park until it was dark
I went home to drink strong dark tea
And eat toast with butter and honey