Bravery

It’s very clear now

that fierceness is completely

and utterly

unrelated to anything physical.

The bravest warrior woman I’ve ever known

slaying her own fire-beasts and vanquishing shadows

I have to bend an inch to kiss.

Shielded by a faceful of hair, doing battle with eyes closed

she throws a honesty-javelin and breaks open another layer

of my tired old heart-guard, without ever saying,

because, I suppose, assumed,

that there’s something down in the depths

worth uncovering.

Unnamed faith in me

and my ability to hold her honesty

is the most difficult

and precious

gift to accept.