Perhaps it was the flight
that drew me to it
outgoing
a piece of past to ground me
in the present
at 35 thousand feet..
Its little form fitted perfectly
an object found,
a talisman from nature
on beach or mountainside
as it used to be;
a guide and guardian against natural fears.
It warmed in my hand
proof of my living self and some
connection to the Palaeolithic
took hold.
I regarded the workmanship
smooth polished charm. Affection grew,
for its durability, more assured than mine,
comforted me as if it might rub off.
I held it to my breast as Aaron did
to nurture in me
a sense of adventure and security.
Its wings were static but not petrified
concentric circle bands of silicate
layered like toffee for a child
to suck.
It sits amongst others
jade square, amethyst obelisk, geodes, chunky rose
quartz, smoky heart, a pyramidal tiger’s eye,
malachite and soapstone Buddhas.
And I, who do not believe in luck,
can give you no excuses as to why
I should buy
a carnelian angel one inch high
except that reason seldom outstrips
fear.
