Unprotected
~~~
Scars do not protect a heart
Old wounds are oft renewed
Like battered brow of boxer
Gloved till blood is spewed
~~~
Safety cannot be erected
Like the building of a fence
Pain cannot be deflected
By wishes or vain pretense
~~~
No matter how you try
Making your heart hardened
There is always a bit of risk
And failure goes unpardoned
~~~
Yet, we spurn the tacit pain
That may well there await
And the risks we gladly take
We barely contemplate
~~~
A heart so bloodied and beaten
Not as defeated as it seems
Enters the ring to face each fight
For the love dreamed in its dreams
~~~
commonsensiblyspeaking 
I liked the message of these words and agree whole-heartedly. They are even more true to those of us who have been taught that there is no such thing as failure, for we will re-enter the ring and face the blood and pain time and time again, until it kills us, rather than admit we have failed.
I guess failure only exists when you stop trying. Thanks, sis!
never give up – well phrased
Wonderful imagery and a great choice for comparison. Lovely work my friend.
yes; all those scars and the pain and the failures allow us the opportunity to learn from them and to move forward…
Well put. Thanks, Jim!
you are welcome, Brad!
I love this one and I don’t think you would be surprised to know it resonates 😘
Not surprised. Have a great new year, little one!
This one is magical, Brad. Despite all of the hazards, we take the risk because the reward of finding that special someone is worth the peril.
Thank you, Pete!
Powerful words. Brings to mind Julius Caesar’s “It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.”
Thank you!
Lovely full of great stanzas. Your work always makes me think Brad about the serious things in life. They are always full of meaning which I love. This stanza really got to me:
“Safety cannot be erected
Like the building of a fence
Pain cannot be deflected
By wishes or vain pretense – Sending you big hugs coming your way from NC from Jonikins xoxoxo
I love this! Failure doesn’t exist in the trying! Very well said!
Thank you, Kristian! Thinking of you!