Warrior Heart

She knows fear
she's touched it
and it's touched her
it is not that she is unafraid

Her fearful heart
is even familiar
a common experience
in her daily life

It's not just the big fear
it's almost never that
though she's been there as well
she's seen the face of terror

But right now it's not some mortal danger
it's more just getting through today
or even the next minute
it's just staying — again — and again

That subtle edge that presses her heart
the little threat that sinks her stomach
that makes her want to turn away
that makes it easy just to go

Yet she doesn't turn away
she opens up and lets it in
and it hurts but she stays
and shares the pain with tenderness

Though she may be afraid
because there is no end to fear
still - she walks into that uncertainty
she can't help it any longer

The fear of what’s to come
the fear of what has been
the fear of feeling anything
the fear of being alive

If you were to know her
"fearlessness" may never cross your mind
but you might just perceive
how she is touched by life

How she lingers in the flowers
How a bird’s song brings a tear
how she is there – for anyone
simple — ordinary — straightforward

The tender open heart
vulnerable to the depth
with nothing to defend
undaunted

— Mike Rubey