Haiku Friday – Bold & Daring

Happy Friday, everyone! Welcome to The Writer Next Door blog!

For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Vashti Quiroz-Vega but you can call me Vashti Q. 😉

A couple of weeks ago I had a very special guest on my blog. Her name is Gadreel and she is one of the characters from my new release, The Fall of Lilith. I had such a great time interviewing her that I decided to invite another character from the book.

I’ve invited Gabriel to come and interview with me today. Gabriel grew up in Floraison along with Lilith, Lucifer, Gadreel and the rest of the angels. He still resides in Heaven’s lowest realm but there was a moment when he imagined his eyes closed to the light of Floraison forever, as God’s punishment for his illicit act.

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“If you build the guts to do something, anything, then you better save enough to face the consequences.”

― Criss Jami 

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He dared seduce me

And beckoned the thumping beats

within my bold chest

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Character Interview: Gabriel, Celestial Angel

 

Vashti: ( I squinted my eyes trying to get a better look at him. He was no more than a shimmer of mist. Through him the edges of my sofas and ottoman became blurred.)

Hello Gabriel. I’m happy you decided to join us. I know your decision to come was not an easy one.

(It was not until he spoke that he congealed into a form, an angel.)

 

Gabriel:

I decided to come, because I feel that others may learn from my mistakes.

 

Vashti: (Gawking at Gabriel)

I apologize for staring but Ive never seen anything––anyone like you before. Your irises are a brilliant white, yet I distinguish them from the whites of your eyes. Your silvery skin glitters ever so lightly. You seem almost solid but not really. Why is your appearance so different from that of the other angels?

 

Gabriel: (His shoulders slumped and he looked down and away from me.)

I did not always have this ethereal form. Once, I was of flesh and blood. Not like a human, for angelic flesh and blood is very different from that of mankind, although they may appear somewhat similar. I was weak and allowed myself to be seduced by the wicked Beelzebub. What we did was against God’s laws and I thought I would be put to death. Instead, God chose to spare my life but as punishment for my wrongdoing He took away my flesh, so that it may never tempt me to lose control and break his laws again. 

(A chill filled the air and I shivered)

 

Vashti:

Are you able to feel another’s caress in this form?

 

Gabriel: (He gazed at me with an agonized expression and shook his head)

I no longer feel any pleasures of the flesh. No kiss shall ever warm my lips, no touch shall ever make my breath shake, and no embrace shall ever give me comfort. Passion no longer exists for me and honeyed words whispered in my ears shan’t bring forth billowing breaths. I feel only the truth.

 

Vashti: ( I leaned forward and took his hand in mine but it was like trying to hold an ice fog and his hand slipped right through mine. My hand was chilled to the bone, so I retrieved it quickly and blew hot air on it.)

 

Gabriel: (He tilted his head and looked at me with a quizzical expression)

Why did you do that?

 

Vashti:

I’m sorry, I was just trying to comfort you. I wanted to hold your hand but I couldn’t grasp it and it felt like I had dipped my hand in glacial water. My fingers are still numb. Tell us what happened between you and Beelzebub that warranted such a severe punishment.

 

Gabriel:

I had always been attracted to Beelzebub and he made it quite obvious that he was also attracted to me. I hid my feelings for him deep inside myself, for the laws in Floraison clearly state that angels are not permitted to indulge on such feelings. I should have kept far away from him, as Michael and Raphael warned me countless times but I underestimated the strength of my feelings and beelzebub’s skills of seduction. One day, I allowed things to get too far and . . . (He buried his face in his hands and bowed his head.)

 

Vashti: ( I watched him for a while wanting to hug him but afraid of what would happen to me if I did. I proceeded to change the subject.)

Gabriel, you invented many instruments in heaven. You have also inspired many men to invent instruments of music here on earth, as well as, the writing of songs and poetry. I thank you for this, because without music, song and verse this planet would be a very dark place. I see that you have brought with you a beautiful golden horn. Tell us about it.

 

Gabriel: (His whole demeanor changed and he sat straighter in his seat. He lifted and demonstrated the wind instrument.)

This is the Horn of Truth. It is an instrument forged by the hands of God. He gave it to me as a gift for revealing the truth to Him and for being remorseful for my actions. When I play the horn, everyone who hears its sound is compelled to tell the truth.

 

Vashti:

Oh wow. That’s interesting. Can I borrow it?

 

Gabriel:

Absolutely not.

 

Vashti:

Come on. Not even for a day or maybe for a couple of hours? 

 

Gabriel:

No.

 

Vashti:

I promise I’ll give it right back. Why don’t you blow on it right now and you’ll see I’m telling you the truth.

 

Gabriel: (He gives an exasperated sigh.)

It would not work for you. In your hands it would be no more than an ordinary horn. Its magic works only through me. Besides, I do not want your spittle on it. 

 

Vashti:

Okay! You know, there is such a thing as being too honest.

 

Gabriel:

I do not think so.

 

Vashti:

Well, that is all for today. Thank you for being my guest, Gabriel. It was a pleasure having you here.

 

Gabriel:

Thank you. Stay honest. I shall keep my eyes on you and my horn of truth shall always be near.

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Bold and Daring are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.

Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.

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Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!