Too Many Angels

I have too many angels,

watchin' over me,

Angels made by others,

For that is what they be.

Jess you died too young,

Kelly also you.

Demmi with a gun,

Not knowin' when it came,

Cory hung from shame,

Charlie hung from love,

Matt was crucified,

On a cold Wyoming plain.

I have too many angels,

watchin’ over me,

Angels made by others,

For that is what they be.

Bobby, Harvey,

John and John,

Too many here to name.

who died with out me,

knowing them,

I miss them just the same.

Dear God please,

No more Angels,

Watchin' over me,

Angels made by others,

for that is what they be.

God please,

No more Angels,

Watchin' over me,

I need to see the living,

For love is all to me.

Backstory:

This poem was written shortly after the death of Matthew Shepard, a college student in Wyoming. Matt was brought to Ft. Collins for Trauma Care, where he left us. It struck me how much loss I had experienced due to violence, and premature death.