My friend, you tell me of your rising fear,

your anger against this God that sustained

you all these years, and your sinking dismay

that this monster should return as the master

of your once forever life lived with love for all

those in this circle of beauty surrounding you.

 

Take hold, my friend, take hold of all this painful

courage that lives in fear itself and press against

this foe, for even if it should win you have given

more than any can give and your love has touched

this circle and created this gift that is not of

fear or of death but of the eternal that is you.

 

5/4/2022