I haven’t been this unsure of the world and my place in it since the 80s in Manhattan, as I watched my dear ones getting sick and dying in the first pandemic. That sense of hopelessness and fear can cripple us. The best thing I can do for this prompt is post a song I wrote years ago for World AIDS Day, in memory of my dear Jeff French. It’s called “The Day I Saw an Angel Fly,” and I hope the link to the recording opens all right. If not, let me know and I will find another way to get it to you. Guard your hearts, my friends.
In the 80s, on a big iron bed
My friend Jeffery, and a sign that read, “Body Fluid Precautions”
A nurse came in and whispered to me,
“Put on a mask and gloves – it’s for protection, you see”
And in defiance of the rules, I lay the gloves aside and wiped his fever cool
When it was time to leave, Jeffery tugged at my sleeve, and spoke of
Angels flying free
He said, “Angels, they’re waiting for me…
They’ll take away my fever and fear
They’ll give me wings and release me from here
We’re all of us, angels-to-be
I hope you see them when they come for me
When I go, and your missing me soon, turn your face to the sky
And say you saw on angel fly”
So many years, so many goodbyes
Too many breaks in our family ties (sisters, brothers, friends, and lovers)
A little news of research each day, and in the meantime, we pray
We keep on working for the best
But when the battle’s lost and someone’s laid to rest
Jeffery’s words come back to me – I close my eyes and I see
Angels all around
Angels, on holy ground
They see my fears and soothe all my pain
They give me reason to face life again
We’re all of us, angels-to-be
I know I feel them when they comfort me
I’m not sure of too much in this world, but I know I learned to cry
The day I saw on angel fly
I can’t remember when I learned to laugh, but I know I learned to cry
The day I saw an angel fly
(c) 1992 Amy Barlow/Sharp Little Pencil
For What’s Going On, the prompt is “In these uncertain times.”
Sharp Little Pencil 
Leslie Sahlen
Stunning my darlingSent from my iPhone
Sharp Little Pencil
Leslie! Mother Tucker! We need to talk. Glad you are still safe in Mexico, bc it’s a living hell here… thanks so much for your kind words. Love, Amers
Leslie Sahlen
Life is much better in Mexico. Our lady president rocks!
Rhoda L Karr
Amy, Leslie…tis me Rhoda, living in the PNW. Such lovely memories of us singing with DJ. I wish you both the best this life has to offer. Maybe we can meet again? In Mexico?
Warmest Regards
Sharp Little Pencil
My partners in crime! Although I have to confess, I don’t travel due to COPD that also made a shambles out of my singing voice years ago. This was an old, old track.
maybe we could Zoom? Send me your emails at sharplittlepencil@gmail.com
Mary
Amy, first of all, you have a beautiful voice! I am in awe. Your poem was wonderful. I love thinking of us all as angels to be & also thinking of angels all around. I have just requested a book called The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai. Reading your poem makes me think you also might like the book!
Sharp Little Pencil
Mary, I will check the library for that book. I do believe there are angels all around, we just have to look and listen with our best, most peaceful hearts.
Sherry Marr
Oh Amy. Your song, your voice, your compassion, your courage, your words – and those angels – made me cry. I too have never felt more uncertain in this world and I used to be annoyingly positive. Dark forces abound. But when I hear your song about love and angels, I remember there are more of us than there are of the dark hearted. It is going to take some time to get out of this mess……….but you turned on a light inside me with your song. I wish thousands more could hear it and hope you sing it on stages whenever possible. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Sharp Little Pencil
Sherry, bless you for this comment. Yes to the uncertainty. And I used to be “annoyingly positive” as well, or at least laugh-out-loud sarcastic. But that was the first T. administration. This time I am trying my best to keep it on an even keel, so revisiting this song helped.
I lost my singing voice several years ago, scarred vocal cords. So I am really glad I got some of these recorded. I used to sing it at different venues on World AIDS Day.
jaerose37
so very beautiful and loving and touching- Jae
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, dear Jae. It means a lot.
jammy7000
Amy, a wonderfully moving poem and sung beautifully and soulfully. It is sad and touching, but at the same time hopeful and inspiring. Beautiful!
jammy7000
(Nick – Intelliblog)
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Nick! And always nice to meet a new poet online. Will head your way on Sat. Just about to leave town for a little break.
Sumana Roy
A heartfelt poem, Amy, with such a spontaneous rhythm. And your sweet voice deeply touches the core. Moreover the poem/song uplifts the heart relieving all the pain, as it were. Thanks for sharing this.
Sharp Little Pencil
Sumana, that song was written for World AIDS Day, and I used to perform it annually. But my voice is gone, so I can still play the recordings.
Anne Schoenemann
We’re all of us, angels-to-be
Your words give me comfort and hope Amy.
Anne Schoenemann
We’re all of us, angels-to-be
Your hopeful thoughts give me strength!
purplepeninportland
This is stunningly beautiful, Amy!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
I remember the time, though I had no-one close who were caught in that first time when people died, and we were all scared….
Sherry Marr
Amy, I dont have your current email address. Wanted to let you know the topic at What’s Going On is Women’s rights – then and now. I would love to hear your thoughts on the topic, if you feel inclined. Smiles.