years
of acid rain
have pitted
the ivory stone
from which
she was cast
yet never once
in her vigilant watch
has one of those
beneath her gaze
risen

yet
after so long
keeping guard over
the restless spirits interred
under her wide spread
wings
the facade begins
to crack
as even the most
virtuous
falls apart

and now the angel
sleeps
her stone tongue
pressed against
marble teeth
her long vigil
brought to end
as the stone
cracks
and only dust
remains