Entertaining Angels

A burning soul we're offered
to rage at the world,
A stream of molten
so thick it overwhelms.

How can so much lie in there
behind your smile?
Within eyes which flash flame-bright.
How can you forget the charred betrayal of man?

I read your report,
Beatings. Chains. Starvation.
I scream at the names of your captors
and damn their souls.

Then I read of nameless men from Niger.
Who heard your faltering voice like a choked brook,
Who saw your soul and freed it, to flow to the sea.

These are the men I must think of -
The ones who helped you escape.
Here is our balm, cool spring,
Here we refresh our hope.

So, one day we shall give them names, these strangers,
And add them to the list of people who
were placed here to guard you.
Never knowing each our part,
Never knowing you were the angel we entertained.