Give Us This Day Our Automotive Angels

Thomas Quitzau

April 21, 2022

We had just enough for a gallon of milk.

Exhausted, I emerged from the Kroger,

Feeling down, turned the ignition to hear 

The sound of one hand clapping—

Not even quick clicks.

Stepping out of the minivan, I prayed out loud,

Lord, please send me an angel.

Of course I didn’t expect a burning bush

Or voices in clouds, but I did expect an answer,

Not lip service.

The fact that You answered me within 60 seconds

Shocks me to this day. A migrant appeared instantly,

Crossing the mostly empty lot, waving as he

Approached in his truck, and spoke in what

(Hallowed be Thy Name)

Sounded like six voices at once (I could swear I heard 

A Greek accent), It’s the battery, the robotic vocals

Pronounced confidently: Just clean the terminals, and 

It should be good, he gestured, twisting one hand as he 

Gave me the advice.

Keep in mind, he had barely even looked at the car.

He cleaned the terminals, I got in, started the van

Dumbfounded, and before I could thank him,

He drove slowly away just as strangely as

He newly arrived.

Now I listen to others more intently, 

Wondering whether God is speaking through them, 

Listening for wisdom, for assistance, for

Ideas, for requests, for prayers, for Your voices:

Thy will being done.

Thomas Quitzau is a poet and teacher who grew up in the Gulf Coast region and who worked for over 30 years in Houston, Texas. A survivor of Hurricane Harvey, he recently wrote a book entitled Reality Showers, and currently teaches and lives on Long Island, New York with his wife and children.