When Angels Descended

It was fast

heartbeats loud everywhere
but yours had
stopped
we pushed breathed
held your head begging for
the sound
the soul to re-enter your body

people circling surrounding
with tubes and gloved hands
they knew but never spoke of the
silent emptiness on the ground

despite prayers
despite shared breaths
refusing to acknowledge deaths shadow
in the corner of our eyes
all angelic visions swept away
by the hot tears
of a little boy’s grief

your fantastic flash
into heaven.

Nikki Lockhart