Dark Angels

I met a woman today who taught me a lesson

I was at the mall
Buying stuff, just groceries really
Teenagers twittering in the too loud voices they use
The muzak oozing through the air
Any mall
Anywhere

I walked down the ramp toward the carpark
And there she was,
Sitting,
Sitting on the concrete ramp
Her feet straight out in front of her
Pointing down the ramp
Her back vertical
Her head faced toward the carpark and it never turned

'Are you alright?' I asked
Stupid really
She was sitting where no one sat,
Where no one was supposed to sit
Maybe she fell
Maybe she was drunk
But no

'I'm dying,' she said
'You'll be alright,' I assured her
Stupid again
'No,' she said, 'I only have two weeks to live.'
Not much you can say to that

When she spoke her head remained still
But her eyes looked up at me
And there were dark angels there

'Would you like some help?' I said
'Yes' she said
A passer-by went off to get security

Security

She said 'Say good bye to Doctor Fuller for me'
I said 'Of course I will.'

I stayed with her until security came
Then I left her

I got in my car

We live our lives
Partly sleeping
But all the while dark angels circle us all