my trust was dried and brittle--
you gave it water--
you said, "look. it is flowering. it is good."
i opened the cage of my heart
and let out the beast--
you said, "look. it is nothing. let it go."
i showed you my wounds--
you said, "look. they are healed. be at peace."
i showed you my much maligned self--
you said, "look. you are beautiful. rejoice."
i spoke to you the words of my heart--
you said, "look. my heart speaks also. will you listen?"

this shoot we've planted
and carefully nurtured
has begun taking root
in the ground of us...
tendrils, reaching out
for the nourishment of love
for the warmth of caring, and
finding no hindrance,
reaching ever upwards
breaking new ground
with every effort,
finding, and combining
all the different elements
in this ground of us--
finding nourishment in
the best of both
and rewarding us, at the end
with a perfect blossom
in this ground of us