SOMETHING MORE

love is something
more
than desire
so strong the marrow aches

it may be the one true chance
to practice courage
to turn the underbelly
to a lover with strong jaws
to be innocent

to choose willingly
to enter untamed territory
without armor

it is a single moment
returning again and again
where there is choice
between
the seductive drug
of willfulness
the false power
of driving a flag into the ground
that bears our own name

and the fire of willingness
that burns away all
that isn't gold
that searches the heavens
for the moon
to learn faith

© Joan Barton, 1999

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