angels will never tell us their names
which they say are too marvellous for us
the truth is - names are an angel’s shame
and private experience of aidos
and anxiety - each honours the word
which first of all created it - seeing
that the name uttered and then deferred
is an angel’s generation and being
despite their longing to be adored
they resist that dare for all their pride
at our sad envy - cloaking what they’re called
in case we start bargaining from our side
it would break the nature each was given
if they gave a name meant to be hidden
Oxford
20 May 2018
Divinity makes for a good thought experiment about identity and shame. I offer Judges 13:18 as a scriptural reference. “Aidos” denotes Ancient Greek Shame concepts. It is a word used in philosophy and literary theory.