thin angel

his heart beat so quickly against his thin chest
i felt i held a bird in my arms and not a man

long skinny arms wrapped about me, nearly encircled me
my right arm around his waist, i touched my left hip

i felt the dark rough hair against his neck
and he gripped me tighter
tendons in shoulders and hips popping

such a fragile balance, slightly shaking
i didn't move for fear of falling down

bird body
thin like angels heaven-starved of human touch
lacking divinity despite those who think him divine

no one worships him or thinks he's holy
his single pilgrim is not worthy to sit at his feet

i see his broken wings
no angel, no bird, just a man
wanting to be loved and worshipped
just as any man does

11.28.01

Email: artofbeinghuman@yahoo.com