This tender, fierce heart

the end of all my beginnings,

the beginnings of all my ends,

how my love

rages, rages, rages

like wind upon the glass

how it rattles in its cage

and at dawn,

such a tender bruised thing

a murmur on the floor,

I would do anything!

Anything!

It’s so much more quiet now

The rage has died down,

such exquisite tenderness

I have shown

some mornings, in the mirror

all I am is light,

a running light

Just yesterday I stopped

in traffic,

to wipe my eyes,

when did I become so soft?

Such a tender thing?

This fierce and tender heart

all love, love, love

that refuses to be loved

Rather stand on stones at the shore

than watch the current pull you away