Liquid Resistance
Enfolding skin that covers bulk and flesh
Makes paradox of softness, firmness in
My arms, themselves a melting strength. We mesh
Where holiness combines with soul of sin
Or with an element that cannot stain,
That cannot be improved. We call it love.
The other elements form a hard chain
Or rod to haul and grip and beat and shove,
Yet passion, alloy of both yield and lock,
Is denseness firmer than the feet of mud
And clay in Daniel’s image. Let what rock
May strike, true ardor will produce hard blood.
The heart is not protected by a hide.
It pumps, pumps, pushing all assaults aside.