The Angel

Last night, last night I drove home past dark parking on the street As I climbed from my car I dropped my keys on the cobblestone I think I must have been hurried Sometimes I hurry in the dark I crouched for my keys on the curb I crouched for my keys on the curb When I looked up, I saw an angel It is a terrible thing I can't tell you what a terrible thing it is It is a terrible thing The angel's eyes were fire The angel's eyes were fire The angel's eyes were fire and turned slowly like the blade of a rotary saw It's skin was radiant white like glass in a furnace It's wings blew back and billowed like huge sheets on a clothesline The angel raised its hands looked down at me Tears ran down its face and it spoke to me Tears ran down its face as it said Wake up Wake up Tonight may be the night your soul is required of you I can tell you your knees fail you I can tell you your knees fail you I can tell you your knees fail you Your knees fail you and you kneel gracelessly I can tell you that I pissed myself It is a terrible thing to see an angel Maybe if I hadn't, but I did With the sudden shock of shame and recognition I fell before the angel on my knees Tears ran down its face Tears ran down its face as it spoke to me Tears ran down its face as it said Wake up Wake up Tonight may be the night your soul is required of you The angel passed right through me The angel passed right through me The angel passed right through me I was like smoke from a cigarette And it was more real than me My eyes went out My eyes went out And in a moment I was cold on the sidewalk I was cold against my car door with my Keys in my hand Cold piss on my legs My eyes went out My body shook My body shook Tears ran down my face as it said Wake up Wake up Tonight may be the night your soul is required of you It is a mercy that you've never seen an angel It is a mercy that you've never seen an angel It is a mercy that you've never seen an angel Are you ready Are you ready now Are you ready Are you ready now Are you ready Are you ready now Are you ready Are you ready now Are you ready Are you ready now Are you ready Are you ready now