'Touched by an Angel' by Maya Angelou

'Touched by an Angel'        

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. 

by Maya Angelou