Dropping the Shields

Standing in shadows
Scanning left and right
Hopeful, fearful, wandering
Needful, yet guarded by my past
Until the light appears, unexpected.

I try to shield myself
Arms across my breast,
As if to shelter my heart;
Hands clutched tight to my face
Afraid of seeing, of knowing, of feeling.

Yet, however slowly,
I know I must drop my shields
And set anchor in the harbor of light.
I will know happiness- I hope, I pray, I wonder
How his own fears play shall into my own, or how...

We can find a path together through the tangled brush
We can sow and reap the seeds of laughter, of joy, of forever
We can conquer the enemies of doubt and fear with a heart-song.