She paints the canvas

She paints the canvas of life

In blood.

She lives her days by night.

In terror she treads the earth

Ever watchful of the rush to flight.

I cannot guess what caused such pain

I cannot pluck you from your storm

I only offer shelter from the rain

And tend your spirit in the warm.

The battles that you wage are yours alone

Allies share the hope but not the grief 

In singing moments love has grown

In seas of trouble, some relief.

So, on you go with cut and thrust

Yielding nought against such blows

Watching from the shore, I trust

That encircling love may tame your foes.

Yet love entangles those it binds

And sucks the freedom in acts as one

The balance of a love so fine

Risks fracture with each battle won.

With blend of hope and close embrace

With spacious love on hold

I scan the thoughts behind your face

To sense the fears untold.

I pray that actions from our past

May bring such theatre to a close

Conclusion is all I wish for you to have

If good then great, if not then sad.