The angels were so large
and shaped
like people

fifteen feet tall—
on massive shoulders
they carried

featherstone wings—
the sight
of them,

alighting on churches,
perching on bridges,
distracted me—

such birds were too large
for stalking;
but then ruined tombs

of emperors
helped me
get comfortable;

finding niches of grass
in the rubble,
some of wild catmint,

I curled up
between the stone
toes of a god.

Copyright © 1999 by Judith Benét Richardson.