The Grace in Her

She was patient.
No prodding.
No urgency.
No demand.
No tapping fingertips.
No exasperated sighs.

She was a Sunday morning.
Patient
Kind
Welcoming.

Her every expression exuded gentleness.
We gave time
To soft conversation
Our fingers entwined.

She never asked my trust
Although every moment with her
Chipped at my defenses
Until one day
I knew she had closed the distance
Between myself and her
Between myself and a woman.

I had been hurt
Deeply
Keenly
Vowing to never again trust
To never again love.

But I needed someone.
I needed her.

Trust was the massive barrier
Separating us.
Finally her kindness
Her patience
Won me.

My soul is healed
Able to continue
Because the grace in her
Was greater than the fear in me.