I rediscovered this poem I wrote in 1989 during my years with Joe Stanco’s Poetry Circle. (I edited it a little, very little, because I can’t stop myself.) Joe’s Circle included the well-known poet, Tim Seibles, as well as VP Crowe, Amy “Moonlady” Martin, Gordon Hilgers, Jas (James) Mardis, and Sam Modica. Nice crowd to learn from.
Of all my performances of (what was almost unanimously terrible) poetry, this was the one that actually made people stand up and cheer. It may not have been great word art, but it had a message people could get behind.
I’m still thrilled by it, too.
The illustration was generated using Adobe Firefly.
They only want to help
They only want to help
There’s really no reason to vex yourself
About the everlasting yonder itself
You’ve heard “the truth” a hundred different ways
You may believe any who or what you want
Allah, Jesus, or a fresh croissant
But there’s just one bet that really pays
Only dogs will be angels
That’s right
Dogs will be angels
Not you
We hear a lot from heavenly touts
Well-meaning but misinformed louts
Certain that they know what follows death
Without a shred of a shred of evidence
Or first hand knowledge of providence
They insist we take their witness on faith
Yet, there’s another angle
That’s right
Dogs will be angels
Not them
Operate heavy machinery or solve advanced equations
And they tend to be affected by their human keepers
No matter how violently aggressive that jerk is
Yeah, you can talk about relative brain size
Opposable thumbs and otherwise
How people are the ultimate mark of progress
But, they evolved a step to be our friends
We certainly could to make amends
With canine inspiration for “human kindness”
You see, only dogs will be angels
They’ve earned the right
Dogs will be angels
Not you