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. 

Maya Angelou, touched by an angel