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 with a birds song

How a flower 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