Puriel

I am stepping out of the driver's seat
And gathering my things to go inside
As the small boy playing in the street
In front of my house stops the game
That only he will ever understand to
Study me with his shy brown eyes.

He stands in the street with ball in
Hand and regards me as if he is
Puriel himself perched upon the
Gates of Heaven granting me
Passage by allowing the corners
Of his mouth to ascend into a smile.

I am filled with joy and return the smile
And he laughs and his laughter shakes
Something loose behind his eyes and for
One sacred moment I can see his soul
Dancing across his face and it is
In bloom and aching for me to know.

*Puriel is one of the two angels that guard the gates of heaven