Unafraid

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has to do with punishment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

Fear is that formless night wave, impending,
unframed extinction, each short breath the last,
utterly alone, just mind and void, forsaken
by all but death’s demonic howl.

Perfect love, an ocean roller breaking,
green glass, sun shiver, resolution, gasp –
it turns you right over, breathless, taken
into the shimmering kaleidoscope of now.

Not then, regret’s sharp flagellation,
not soon, or next, not apprehension
of world’s end, man’s useless punishment,
but now in the good and bad of all creation,
in beating hearts and breath’s elation
know how to love this life, fear absent.

Graham Norman

Graham Norman Bio:

I am a human, Green Christian, eco poet living near Hampshire’s River Test where it meets the sea in Southampton Water. I write from what I see around me, in conversation with God, a biography of Life. I write for myself, for family, friends and community, inspired by the Holy Spirit and the joy of words.