Out of Danger
Heart be kind and sign the release
As the trees their loss approve.
Learn as leaves must learn to fall
Out of danger, out of love.
What belongs to frost and thaw
Sullen winter will not harm.
What belongs to wind and rain
Is out of danger from the storm.
Jealous passion, cruel need
Betray the heart they feed upon.
But what belongs to earth and death
Is out of danger from the sun.
I was cruel, I was wrong -
Hard to say and hard to know.
You do not belong to me.
You are out of danger now -
Out of danger from the wind,
Out of danger from the wave,
Out of danger from the heart
Falling, falling out of love.
Commentary
I really liked ‘The Ideal’ (Poem #1380) and it reminded me of another Fenton I read several years ago from his Out of Danger collection. So poignant in its simplicity, it will strike a chord with anyone who’s ever fallen out of love - a strange combination of sadness and relief.
Linda.
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From the Wondering Minstrels mailing list, 1999–2008.
James L. Jolly · 8 September 2005
OUT OF DANGER is my wife of forty seven years: she is truly safe in the arms of another; Jesus, The Christ, Our savior.
James L. Jolly