the Angel Anarchica or 'The Soul of the City'

The Soul of the City

is a much sought after

but mercurial, elusive being;

No one knows where or if

the cosmopolitan phantom 

will make an appearance.

It just shows up,

not waiting for clearance;

It's seen at ribbon cuttings, a Munchian apparition on the corner of the crowd,

Mr. Goldberg's forgotten uncle.

It's a friend and frenemy

of factory workers, there with a cold beverage

and a kind word-

to disguise a cold heart 

in love with industrial works.

It weaves and bobs 

among the grunge-blackened beggars,

young and artistically styled punk-rock musicians

and other various shuffling mendicants

of the downtown sector-

politicking for Troy, still at war with Athens

this wayward spiritual Hector.

You may even meet him at Church

during regular service or quiet prayer hours-

singing with the choir

or in downcast, penitent prayer.

But do not expect with confidence to meet him

next Sunday and the next;

as he is the angel anarchica

and rebels against the clockwork of conformity-

committing many works yet, somehow,

never quite connecting-

never quite 'clocking in.'