Touched by An Angel

          Maya Angelou

                We, unaccustomed to courage
                exiles from delight
                live coiled in shells of loneliness
                until love leaves its high holy temple
                and comes into our sight
                to liberate us into life.

                Love arrives
                and in its train come ecstasies
                old memories of pleasure
                ancient histories of pain.
                Yet if we are bold,
                love strikes away the chains of fear
                from our souls.

                We are weaned from our timidity
                In the flush of love's light
                we dare be brave
                And suddenly we see
                that love costs all we are
                and will ever be.
                Yet it is only love
                which sets us free.