Angels in Distress

"King of New Orleans" by Better than Ezra

There's an angel on the stairs(as if you'd even care)
When the lights go up,and the sun has nearly gone down.
Did you see him on the street?Did you pass him at your feet?
Did you think aloud,"how dare they even look me in the eye'?
And he loves the girls.And he loves the boys.
Going to make twenty dollars before the weekends over.
So set him up,Let him fall.Turn him over in your hands.
God save the King of New Orleans.Got a ticket to a show.
Going to see him take a blow.
When the drunk one said,"Cat Sssstevens was the greatest singer!"
And did you kick him in the head?Did you see the blood run down?
Did you laugh at all when the people walked right by
and said aloud,"You gutter punks are all the same."
Probably make twenty dollars 'fore the weekends over."?
So set him up,Then let him fall.Turn him over in your hands.
God save the King of New Orleans.Radio in my head.Radio in that car.
Going down again,he's going down again....
Anyway you look, anyway you talk it over.
It's easier to let it slip out of your mind.But it rips your heart out.
Then it kicks your head in.Just give him one more chance,
try to see the beauty in his world.All the way in on my hands,
in on my feet,and shoulders.
Going to make twenty dollars before the weekends over.
So set him up,Then let him fall.Turn him over in your hands.
God save the King of New Orleans.God save the King of New Orleans.

Its always about the same time that i see him walking along the same pavements, holding the same packet of teh, daunting the same ruffled tees and stained shorts. His strides were large and hopeful like a soldier who had fought a war; tired but glad.

His mood and shabby state is a classical mismatch that we can't understand, or rather will not understand. Isn't that right? How often do we feel unsatisfied and unhappy even when we are already living so comfortably. It is truly ironic. Even though he looks really poor, he is happier than anyone passing him by in posh sedans and designer clothes. He is richer than anyone in his knowledge and understanding about contentment. Perhaps the sheer feeling of existence and feeling alive is the ultimate elixir that scientists can never replicate for unhappy mankind.

If angels exists, i guess they don't come in cliche packages with wings and fairy wands. I reckon them to be messengers dropping subtle hints in our everyday lives. Guiding us in ways that sometimes we dismiss in the buzz of our crazy hectic schedules. If things could slow down a little, if we can appreciate life a little more, we might be a little happier. Easier said than done. After all confusion isnt helping in our quest for happiness. Are we chasing the right things in life? Material gains and fame... do they really bring about happiness?