That there is true love all around, Fearless it shall be, Blanketing me in waves of green, The heart jumps though it can't see. Who am I to question? Lip bitten, red droplets to the ground, Sprout loving life where they land, Red marigolds I've found. I seek something I know is near, Fragrance bathes my heart in gold. A Red Cardinal lands on an empty bench, "Come, sit with me," I'm told. I heard him sing a little bit, A melody so wanted in its making, The Beast within me soothed once more, A true lesson for the taking. "You've walked so long and fought so hard, You've finally arrived, Do not cede this space for anything, No thought or fear contrived. The wounds, my son, have finally healed, Why open them again? The truth is right before your eyes, There is nothing left to mend. The plight of others is not your fault, Just give it all you've got, For in the end that's all you have, Don't make things what they're not. For as long as love resides in you, The pain, it will subside, For flowers sprout right where you stand, Fertile tears are what you've cried. I've flown so far to tell you this, For we've always known your heart, And when true Love does trust in this, You will never be apart." I sat with that a little while, Knowing all he said was true, For when set free a bird in love, Will always fly back to you. I watched as he took off in flight, I swear I heard him say, "Don't be sad when you're alone, Sometimes things are meant this way." I turned and walked from that spot, I knew I was blessed to be, And when fatigued I found a spot, Beneath a willow tree. With heavy heart and aching soul, Exhausted I did fall, Yet no final bell had rung that day, I hadn't given it my all. I breathed, I sighed, I even cried, There are some words I'd love to hear, Yet in the end that willow tree, Was all I could find near. I pulled and threw some golden grass, Watched blades surrender to the breeze, Soon winter would finally come to me, And all of this would freeze. I stood up tall and stretched a bit, Caressed the tree with an open thumb, Perhaps life would be so much easier, If I felt completely numb. To find that strength, and pull away, Let destiny decide, I left my heart in some other place, I could not find inside. In each of us there is a place, It may look just like a cave, One thing I've found that is for sure, It isn't necessarily a grave. Refreshed I stood and then I turned, And whispered to the tree, "Willow my sweet angel true, Your love has set me free." I turned to watch the Sun come up, A soft branch caressed my face, I knew in our instant shared, I had found a sacred space. For trusting trees and golden grass, Has never been my way, Yet in that space something changed, I carry to this day. For once someone loves and trusts you so, Though frightened she me seem, She is the greatest light of strength, That you have ever seen. So never take for granted this, When your mind is wracked with strife, That a Red Cardinal may sit with you, And help you change your life.