Angel Quote by Sherman Alexie
““I dial home. My mother answers. “Hey, Ma,” I say, “Can I talk to Poppa?” She gasps, And then I remember that my father Has been dead for nearly a year. “Shit, Mom,” I say. “I forgot he’s dead. I’m sorry— How did I forget?” “It’s okay,” she says. “I made him a cup of instant coffee This morning and left it on the table— Like I have for, what, twenty-seven years— And I didn't realize my mistake Until this afternoon.” My mother laughs At the angels who wait for us to pause During the most ordinary of days And sing our praise to forgetfulness Before they slap our souls with their cold wings. Those angels burden and unbalance us. Those fucking angels ride us piggyback. Those angels, forever falling, snare us And haul us, prey and praying, into dust.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Untitled, 2000s (spoken word)??The poem explores grief, memory lapses, and the surreal comfort of angels amid loss.
Forgetfulness can be both painful and oddly comforting, especially after loss.
In simple terms: Forgetting a dead loved one feels strange yet oddly normal.
Key Takeaway
Accept that memory gaps happen, especially in grief.
Themes
grief
memory
surrealism
comfort
angels
Mood
melancholic
hopeful
surreal
Type
poetic
reflective
When to use this quote
- family conversation
- mourning
- daily routine
- spiritual reflection
Key Concepts
loss
forgetfulness
spirituality
humor
Questions to Reflect On
- What role does humor play in coping with loss?
- How do you find comfort in the mundane?
A Different Perspective
The narrative mixes humor with deep sorrow, which may downplay the pain.
