PICTURE

My father drew angels quite well -- 

Stickmen, with wings and benign,

Wary expressions. Occasionally  

He drew wolfmen, sometimes 

Standing quietly in a crowd 

Or singing as part of a chorus.

So far as I know, none of his pictures 

Include both angels and wolfmen

Though the combination seems natural.

What if, times being hard, each

Had to perform the other's job?

God might give His wolfmen messages 

When they weren't loitering in Heaven,

Howling extravagant songs of praise 

While angels grew fur at the whim

Of some deceased moon's cessant ghost.

If I were my father I'd draw you a picture 

Of these angels and wolfmen meeting 

To exchange tales and sympathy. You'd say

"Yes, this and no other way is just how I

Believe they must have looked."