‘Tis Better to be an Angel

‘TIS BETTER TO BE AN ANGEL

Although written before all the Black Lives Matter protests this is in some ways related to it. The winners write the history and many statues are put up to supposed heroes even though they often lost albeit valiantly or were latterly accused of preposterous acts to claim victory. We talk of conquests and discovery by European nations when in reality it was all about treasure and land-grabbing in the name of inbred monarchs whose real claim was by any measure, non-existent. Should wars ever be celebrated or slave-traders be heralded however philanthropic they may later become? Probably in their time it was somehow appropriate but it is good to see these figures of oppression and institutional murder being torn down - even people like Churchill. War should never be celebrated and the cawing of the victors is always an ugly song.

‘Tis better to be an angel than a hero Better to savour sweet joy and redemption Than cross the dry winds of burning hell Crying ‘onward ever onward’ into battle Stung with rebuke as frail flesh fails No protection from the flailing sword. Wielded without mercy since its forging By small men in big shoes behind barricades

‘Tis better to be an angel than a hero Better to cast true light and salvation Than cut and thrust into the empty shell Of fatuous self and presumptive tittle tattle Pushing punching and burning fresh trails No match for the damask rose and mighty word Military twill and daggers lunging Bolstered by doggerel and dumb charades

‘Tis better to be an angel than a hero? To arrive at moments coming not clamour recognition The sun-risen songs of fiery Seraphim that foretell Or the hero oft limpen, leaden and defeated that’ll Be stood heroically cast in bronze surrounded by rails Plucked icon from disaster given this reward Meanwhile quiet and gentle non-enforcing The angel like a mist weaves through the palisades