For Gabriel Fernandez

an angel in name and temperament,

sent to Earth to live with devils.

they seethed with jealousy

of how you shone.

so instead of celebrating their little chandelier,

they sought to steal its light,

to stain darkness upon angel crystal.

but they failed.

despite the evil they hurled at you,

you kept shining.

kept loving.

a Mother's Day card...handmade.

and I never understood the expression

God works in mysterious ways.

they're not mysterious.

they're just cruel.

I don't want Welcome home to be the first thing God says to you.

no, let that be the second.

the first thing should be

Gabriel, I failed you.