IF I MAY ACCESS MY GUARDIAN ANGEL

 IF I MAY ACCESS MY GUARDIAN ANGEL

When the spirits of the dead wail as violently as dust storm,

The concerto of mortal tranquility is at stake—

From the rivers of Niger

To the brooks of Cherith;

From the coast of Rio de janeiro

To the hinterland of Syria;

From the desert of Sudan

To the walls of China;

From the cape of Nile

To the caves in Somalia;

From the palace in Buckingham

To the empires in Rome;

From the town of Nairobi

To the villages in Kangan;

From the springs of Arab

To the wilderness of Lalaland;

From the city of Boston

To the highways of Riyadh;

And every Waste Land on earth;

Contralto has turned bass…
Nyanya could not dance kukere.

What guardian angel are assigned to

Those that perish as frail as dust?

What edge is built around

Those that burn in the fiery furnace of Nebuchadnezzars?

What weapon do they wield on field to shield

Those unarmored lambs?

I hear musical tones

Of bullets and splinters

In howling harmony

With the crescendo

Of the wounded.

What form do they bear that guard as Angels?

What mask do they wear that kill as rebels?

What course do they chart;

What counsel do they heed;

What pleasure do they take

In treating Creator’s breath as toot?

What communion do they hold;

What vigil do they keep;

What banquet do they feast

That shed blood like pool of water?

What robe do they wear;

What horse do they ride;

What ocean do they wish to part

With their serpentine rod stinging the innocent?

If I may access my guardian angel,

I’ll ask him these questions

And plead that he guard me from—

Stray bullets

Boko bombs

Toxic potions

Plain crash from hair craft

Ballot bullies

Mortal cherubs

Choking smog

Chemical weapons

Six sick seeks!

I’ll tell him, Oh Celestial Guard!

If you thirst, don’t drink spirits;

If you hunger, don’t eat bhang-leaves,

For if you sleep or slumber,

I may perish as frail dust.

I’ll tell him to fortify himself with ethereal amour;

I dread these times

Where Angels may perish with those they guard

I dread these times

Where mortals ascend to immortal places

To build their fort

With ruins from the rock of ages

Ajayi Angel-Simon