And then they began

to speak softly,

honestly

to each other

with a kindness

that made the truth

a gift and not

a weapon.

They were moved

to share

the things that

chased them

in their dreams,

the alone

that has no

words.

They learned

to hold each other

without

holding back

and began to heal

the hearts they

shared.

Respect and human

dignity

were held

sacrosanct in every

interaction,

and in this world

they created

for themselves

they became

impervious to

the inhumanity

of the way

the earth moved

beneath them.

Thus they gave life,

no less than

the flight,

the fall

and the story of creation

to an exalted way

of living and

loving.