Barefoot and dirty,
the little girl just sat in the park
and watched people go by.
She never tried to speak,
she never said a word.
Many people passed,
but not one person glanced her way,
no one stopped, including me.

The next day I decided
to go back to the park,
curious if the little girl
would still be there.
Right in the very spot she was yesterday,
she sat perched on high,
with the saddest look in her eyes.

But today I could not just walk away,
concerned only with my affairs.
I found myself walking over
to the little girl.
For as we all know,
a park full of strange people
is not a place for young
children to play alone.

As I began walking towards her,
I could see the back of the
little girl's dress indicated a deformity.
I figured that was the reason
the people just passed by
and made no effort to care.
As I got closer,
the little girl slightly lowered her eyes
to avoid my intent stare.
I could see the shape of
her back more clearly.
It was grotesquely shaped
in a humped over form.

I smiled to let her
know it was okay,
I was there to help, to talk.
I sat down beside her
and opened with a simple
"hello."
The little girl acted shocked
and stammered a "hi"
after along stare into my eyes.
I smiled and she shyly smiled back.

We talked 'til darkness fell
and the park was completely empty.
Everyone was gone and we were alone.
I asked the girl why she was so sad.
The little girl looked at me and said,
"Because I am different."
I immediately said,
"That you are!" and smiled.
The little girl acted even sadder,
she said, "I know."

"Little girl," I said,
"you remind me of an angel,
sweet and innocent."
She looked at me and smiled slowly,
she stood to her feet and said
"Really?"
"Yes, dear, you're like
a little guardian angel sent to watch over
all those people walking by."
She nodded her head,
"yes,"
and smiled, and with that
she spread her wings and said,
"I am. I'm your guardian angel,"
with a twinkle in her eye.

I was speechless,
sure I was seeing things.
She said,
"And when you began thinking
of someone other than yourself,
my job here was done."
Immediately I stood to my feet
and said, "Wait,
so why did no one
else stop to help an angel?"
She looked at me and smiled,
"You're the only one who could see me,"
and she was gone.
When you think you're all you have;
remember, your angel is always watching over you.