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 
always another chance
Always! Thanks, Beth!
Love is always worth the risk! Love this!!
Thank you, my friend!
No pain, no gain. Wonderful writing my friend!
Thank you, brother!
You’re welcome brother.
the rewards outweigh the risks!
That seems to be the consensus. Thanks, Jim!
I read the piece and was going to write Jim’s exact words. Is that a case of simple or great minds?
Nobody says love is supposed to be easy. Why am I thinking of the line from Dumb and Dumber?—”So, you’re saying there’s a chance.”
I would put you both in the great minds category, Pete. I do not think we expect love to be easy, but many wish it was a lot less painful. Thank you, my friend!