I promised (or threatened) poetry, didn't I?

I'm sure I did.

And it's poetry month, so what better time to share? If you love poetry, or would just like to try some, consider Knopf's poem-a-day, which they present every April. You get one great poem a day in your e-mail, sometimes with an audio clip of the poet reading it.

It won't hurt, I promise.

And in the spirit of April ---

Angels in the Snow

In the throat-closing cold

across the empty snow

the air is still as a chapel

and house lights scatter chunks of gold.

I search for angels in the night,

listening for the silent flight

of wings or the sound of

glorias being raised on high

trying to call to mind stories

of angels bringing comfort and peace

but remembering instead Jacob wrestling

and shepherds on their knees.

I then recall that

angels always say 'fear not'

at each meeting with mere mortals

who may regret being caught

by this presence of fire and air

these heralds of our destiny and fate

I, too late, begin to wonder

did the shepherds fall not in awe

but terror?

I turn and see the sweep and line

of moon-sculpted shadow, a flying

messenger of God's desire

this towering angel-form -- mine.