God Gave Us an Angel

Of twisted body and muted tongue
Was our angel.
No wings.
No halo.
A paragon of love, patience and compassion
Was he.
He loved and was loved by us all.

His eyes would flash his pleasure.
His hearty laughter would infect us all,
Until our sides would ache.
His as well.

He suffered pain.
He cried.
He never asked for sympathy.
He told you with his eyes
What his tongue could not speak.

Fabrications were not his lot.
We knew his honesty.
We did not question it.
He knew the truth.
He was always right.
Our claims to the contrary.

He played the games we played at home.
When Dad piled us high and placed him atop,
He was declared the winner.
Mom smiled her joy.
Protestations aside by the vanquished
He laughingly accepted the crown.

He was the eldest
One by one we left the nest.
It was something he could not do.
He stayed because he had no choice.
Had the choice been his
He would have elected to stay.

By his example
He had taught us all
That God had made us to love.
To take pleasure in what we have
Not in what we want.

Then she left.
She who had birthed him.
She who had fed and cared for him.
It was time for him as well.
His work was done.
GOD gave us an angel.
We knew it not till he was gone.

By Spence Stimler
October 24, 1997