fear that offers courage

In the trembling and bent knees

a stream of boldness flows vertically;

it crosses boundaries, borders,

and racial differences. The beautiful

oxymoron forms a space of grace where

I stretch out my hand to those who

burn with hate, to those I don’t know.

There’s no gold in suspicion, or

riches in ignorance. Cast it out!

Cast it all out as I adore your

spread out arms. I fear your courage;

so counterintuitive. I pray it becomes

mine, and ours; I pray we are marked

with fear that offers courage.