they whispered
"be free"

thus, he lit himself on fire.

he
so falling-teacup delicate
china blue shatter on unforgiving tiles
fragile suspension; collision
inevitable destruction of the
angel hanging in midair (purgatory
seeking redemption: no, no remorse)
downy grey wings matted,
tattered by dejection: but he
is no less beautiful, the arching
of his (porcelain) smile across
troubled lips – unspoken secrets
whispered to hollow walls without
the ears nor means to listen,
but they know & they promised
they will never tell.