Jessi & the Gargoyle

illustrations by Emily Frembgen . . . photographs by Joe Beine

"Now I have a question for you, messenger...
What's it like to be able to fly?"

Jessi & the Gargoyle is a short story from the book Paper Angels by Joe Beine. A cynical gargoyle, who inhabits Frankfurt's Cathedral, confronts a free spirited angel. They have a discussion about the nature of human greed and generosity. This website contains sketches and photographs related to the story.

What if you knew how to fly
Better than you do now
What if the struggle was gone
You could just breathe and soar
What if you didn't fall
When you realized you were lost
And blue skies were all around
Not just above but below like ground
What if there was a word
For feeling like flying

-Jane Wiedlin (from "Feeling Like Flying")
(written by Wiedlin/Caffey/Bouch/Noa)

Paper Angels - Christmas Stories