Love Enough

Seeking reassurance, yet reticent to touch,
Like the anemone retracting with her sting
Your barb's unslung by tenderness, or such
Tension as tears ope' a tender thing.

But saving grace is not a salve to calm
And salvation bears its viciousness on wings;
Recovery's own pain becomes its balm
When what's vile's reversed by virtue's sting.

So in this onslaught on your open heart
When harness pinches and help's hands come rough,
Still gird yourself to give your every part;

Know what dives downwind is no churlish chough
Sent to peck black each softest thought—
Know what comes to rescue you is love enough.