Angel of our bitter better Nature An epiphany meditation By
Heather Murray Elkins Photos by Lynne DeLade Copyright 2013
Slide 2
In this angelic season, old men dream dreams of being heroes:
rescuing maidens in distress, defending the defenseless, seeking
shelter, making a run for the border.
Slide 3
What should be packed for the journey? How much water for the
wilderness? What kind of weapons? Where is Egypt, exactly?
Slide 4
angels we have heard on high Are there songs strong enough to
wear for protection? Can we cover our young with dark hoods of
peace or swaddle them in safety as they leave their fathers house,
as they make their way to school?
Slide 5
The problem with dream directions Is the blurring of the lines,
or eyes, or reasons. Why this child and not others? Why not many
instead of one?
Slide 6
And ever ore its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing What was
Lincoln thinking?* Bitter would be better. We need avenging angels
in this uncivil war. God, Guns, and Guts make this country
something other than... one nation undivided. * Angels of our
better nature was used by Lincoln in his First Inaugural Address at
the start of the Civil War.
Slide 7
The impossible dream the improbable song And ye, beneath lifes
crushing load Whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the
climbing way with painful steps and slow, Look now! For glad and
golden hours come swiftly on the wing. O rest beside the weary
road, And hear the angels sing.
Slide 8
To all determined dreamers, then, all true believers in the
rumor of angels or humans of a better nature, to every one who
hopes to be a child of God a piece of advice:.