Our poetic prompt for March was angels – and six of us submitted poems.
Monica Sharman discovers two angels – perhaps? – while running up the Centennial Trail. Sherri Southern theorizes that men might have come from fallen angels – and we’ve forgotten that once “we had wings upon our back.”
Megan Willome is adopted by two angels that seem to bark (Terrier angels / with a splash of dachshund and a spit of Jack Russell), and eat everyone’s broccoli.
Jody Ohlsen Collins and I both found inspiration in Gabriel the Archangel (mentioned three times in the Bible – if you know the three places you can note it in the comments) (and no cheating by looking it up in a concordance or Bible dictionary). I have him singing, while Jody has him playing an oboe.
I love the images of Gabriel in Jody’s poem: messenger, light bringer, holding one’s face to the sun. And I love the images of “brick-walled lies” and “stone-cold pain.”
The reference to “Mirricone” in the poem is to Ennio Morricone, the Italian composer and conductor who has written the scores for more than 20 award-winning films and spaghetti westerns like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. He’s also composed classical works, including ones for the oboe.
Listen to Gabriel’s music.
If Gabriel had an oboe
If Gabriel had an oboe,
as Morricone thought he might,
he’d summon me low and soft
as he did,
wooing me with ways and words
piercing my heart as he did.
Angel–messenger
bearing, declaring,
the words in my hearing
to heal the piercing, release the flood
held back by brick-walled lies and
stone-cold pain.
Angel–light bringer
he’d hold my face
towards the sun,
as he did
and speak loudly over me
‘freedom!’
making me
this time
the Messenger.
All participants in the March poetry prompt:
Monica Sharman: While Running Up Centennial Trial
Megan Willome: Angel, Fourth Class
Jody Ohlsen Collins: If Gabriel Had an Oboe
Glynn Young: Gabriel’s Song
Sherri Southern: We’re the Fallen Angels
Ann Wachter: Spirit Guide
Photograph by Justyna. Creative Commons, via Flickr. Post by Glynn Young, author of Dancing Priest: A Novel
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Buy a year of Every Day Poems, just $5.99— Read a poem a day, become a better poet. In April we’re exploring the theme Candy.
- Poets and Poems: Alfred Nicol and “After the Carnival” - May 8, 2025
- Poets and Poems: Kelly Belmonte and “The Mother of All Words” - May 6, 2025
- An Anthology on Reading and Writing Poetry - May 1, 2025
Megan Willome says
Thank you! It’s always nice to see what other people wrote, too.
Tania Runyan says
So many rich sounds in this poem. Would be compelling read aloud!
Jody Collins says
this is such a lovely list–a joy to be included. ‘Gabriel’s Oboe’ is actually the name of one of the pieces of music from the film score for ‘The Mission’, which Morricone composed.
oh, it’s beautiful….ya’ll can You Tube it, as the saying goes.
This is an amazing bunch.
Thank you, Glynn.
katdish says
After reading your moving and creative poem, I began to imagine if Gabriel played the cowbell. Which clearly is why I should not write poetry.
LW Willingham says
Before I step in something and wreck the thing, first, let me tell Jody how much I loved this piece. And here you go mentioning The Mission — the second time this week I’ve run into it. It’s an all time favorite (up there with TPB, L.L.).
Now that I’m done being proper (perhaps I should start a separate comment for lovely Jody’s sake), we need to get Katdish and the cowbell, along with Reno and his cows and bluebells, and Gabriel with whatever instrument he prefers today and see what might happen.
Jody Collins says
oh, there would just be joy in heaven and lots of laughter, which is ALWAYS good medicine.
Jody Collins says
why, I think we’d just end up with a lot of laughter and joy………….which is what Heaven is all about. Great idea 🙂
Monica Sharman says
So many parts to love in that poem. This especially:
“release the flood
held back by brick-walled lies and
stone-cold pain.”
Nancy says
I play the oboe and love poetry….and this poem and title just amuses me greatly!
Nancy Seate says
After admiring and enjoying this creative poem,GO to:
( you tube.com Morricone )
and choose “Gabriel’s Oboe ” by Ennio Morricone.
( there are 20 spots to choose from) See and listen to the oboe solo. It doesn’t take but a second and it adds so much pleasure to the content of the writing. if you are not familiar with the oboe, this is an excellent moment to do it.