I finally finished watching

A long, strange movie tonight

Between six and seven PM

I had taped it a few weeks ago,

Begun watching it two days ago,

Watched a lot more yesterday,

And wrapped it up tonight

It was a foreign film called Wings of Desire,

Directed by Wim Wenders,

About two angels

Who observe people's lives

The two listen to the thoughts

Of those they come across

The people don't know

That the angels are there,

But kids look them in the eye

The film is black-and-white

For the first hour and a half

The dialogue is in German,

So there are subtitles

The only familiar actor is Peter Falk,

Who is best known for his role as

The TV detective Columbo,

And who during this movie

Is recognized by Germans as Columbo

Peter can sense the angels

And talks to one

Though he cannot see him

This angel,

Who reminds me of

One of my racquetball partners,

Falls for a trapeze artist named Marion,

Whom he returns to more frequently

As the story progresses,

Whereas most people are visited

Only briefly and only once

He confides in the other angel

That he wishes to be mortal,

To experience life as people do

He finally gets his wish,

The movie suddenly transforming

From black-and-white to color,

And meets up with Marion

They both realize that they

Are meant for each other,

And also that they represent

The joining of men and women everywhere

       *     *     *

At eight PM

Star Trek: Voyager came on,

A new episode called "Death Wish,"

Which is this week's TV Guide cover story

There was a strong parallel

Between the episode and the movie

The plot concerns an immortal "Q"

Who wishes to become mortal

So that he can commit suicide

Another immortal "Q,"

The one familiar from previous

Next Generation episodes,

Appears on the scene

In an attempt to thwart the first "Q"

Both angels in the movie were male,

And both immortals in the TV program are, too

Though it kept staring me in the face,

It wasn't until well into the show

That the icing dawned on me

The episode prominently featured

Captain Kathryn Janeway of Voyager,

Played by Kate Mulgrew

Although I never used to watch Columbo

It came to me in a flash

That Kate Mulgrew is best known for

Her role as Mrs. Columbo...