How to Wrestle an Angel

1. Wrestle him all night, till the breaking of dawn.
Fight dirty if necessary. Bite and pull his wings,
do not let him go until he blesses you.

2. Stand perfectly still.
Let his wings slap against your flesh all night.
Do not move or make a sound. Try to blink as little as possible,
even when a feather smacks hard into your balls,
even then do not scream.
Do not ask to be blessed.
Receive him in silence,
even if it kills you.

3. Make sarcastic, derogatory remarks about angels,
each time he hits you.
Then say to him how much Angels in America pales
to Doctor Faustus.
Tell him "Even if you were God himself,
I would not let you bless me"
and mean it.

4. Invite him into your home,
serve him wine and cheesecake
or beer and pork rinds, whatever is handy.
Play chess or Monopoly, Truth or Dare.
After a few glasses, talk of former lovers and parents.
After a few more, compliment his voice,
express admiration for his wing span,
then caress his spirit.
Let him fall asleep in your arms
and while he dreams

write evil on his forehead.

(Toronto, ECW Press, 2007)