By Jonathan Hunter-Kilmer
a flash accross the mouth
delivers blood
by hand or word
a callous insult or rough skin
swells lip
caves heart
fells bird
a shush peremptory from lover
quails the heart
and teeth will stutter
seek within
for what is wrong
not fearing hurt
but broken song
Your lips bled so
and then were still
both by an effort of Your will
mine open joyfully for You
but others hear
and jeer
or strew
silence defiant
armor polished
proof against
the tears they cause
when battles rage
bird's blunted claws
and step on living flesh
as corpse
unseen uncared the march deaf roars
and leaves behind ripe open sores
but in that caring place where stretch
in silent gladness circumspect
Your love in trust extends my hands
and voice and thought receive the brands
of wounds You took to make me whole
a fire of love to prove my soul
and heal what earth may do or say
Your flower will not wilt away
but bloom and grow and blossom bright
and make of dark eternal light
