Updated date:

Apr 29, 2020

Poem: I Don't Want Raphael's Angel

Author:: Mark Tulin

Mark Tulin is an international author, humorist, poet, and short-story writer who lives by California's central coast.

Zaftig Angel by Alice Tulin
Art by Alice Tulin

More Earthy, Less Ethereal

Angels are created in heaven but rendered by the minds of artists and poets. My version of an angel reflects my Philly background and gritty nature. I prefer my angels earthy with more realistic expectations, instead of the ideal versions that Raphael and Michelangelo have created in their art. I want my angel accessible instead of ethereal. In the poem, I Don't Want Raphael's Angel, I say goodbye to perfection and hello to flaws and impurity.

I Don't Want Raphael's Angel by Mark Tulin

I don’t want my angel

soft and demure

with translucent wings or a halo.

I don’t want her riding bareback like Lady Godiva

or as sophisticated as Lady Chatterley.

I want her to be excited to see me

with outstretched arms and a bottle of beer,

plain and dowdy, unfettered and free

with rollers in her untamed hair.

I want her to be funny and profane,

a well-endowed, zaftig angel

wearing nothing but a grin

and a closeout pair of fur-lined slippers

from Marshalls or Filene’s Basement.

I want my angel to be riding

a two-door Ford Pinto

with a pack of smokes on the dash,

a pipe with hash under the seat,

barely making it up the hill

in a cough and sputter.

I don’t want Raphael’s angel

or a Michelangelo

with a surreal, sublime pallor.

I don’t want society’s perfect seraphim,

a holy protector and intercessor,

but a cherub who’s not afraid to break rules,

now and then.

Comments

Mark Tulin (author) from Ventura, California on May 15, 2020:

Thanks, Brenda!!

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on May 15, 2020:

I shared this one here.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=146888...?sfnsn=mo

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on May 15, 2020:

This one is cute.

Refreshingly honest.

Mark Tulin (author) from Ventura, California on May 06, 2020:

Flourish, Walmart Woman sounds good to me. She might get me the employee discount as well.

FlourishAnyway from USA on May 06, 2020:

Made me think “gimme my Walmart woman” or “trailer park angel.” Very gritty. This is the kernel of a great song.

Mark Tulin (author) from Ventura, California on May 06, 2020:

Thank you, MG

MG Singh from UAE on May 06, 2020:

What a lovely poem on your concept of an angel. I can't but agree with you.

Mark Tulin (author) from Ventura, California on May 03, 2020:

Thanks, Lora. There’s much more beauty in the accessible than the perfect.

Lora Hollings on May 03, 2020:

Mark, I really like your off beat style! Full of wit, style and humor, I really enjoyed your more accessible angel.

Mark Tulin (author) from Ventura, California on May 01, 2020:

Shauna, you are right on target. My wife is my zaftig angel.

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on May 01, 2020:

I like your angel, Mark. I love the description of her appearance, demeanor, and attitude. There are angels on earth. I suspect this one may be your wife.

Mark Tulin (author) from Ventura, California on May 01, 2020:

Thank you, Preeti

Preeti from India on April 30, 2020:

great choices :p

Mark Tulin (author) from Ventura, California on April 30, 2020:

The halo might get in the way, Ruby.

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on April 30, 2020:

Come to think about it, your angel would be a run of the mill beauty! No halo would take some getting used to. A fun poem. Well done.

Mark Tulin (author) from Ventura, California on April 29, 2020:

Thanks, Rinita.

Mark Tulin (author) from Ventura, California on April 29, 2020:

Thanks, John. Fixed the video. It should be okay.