love is gentle
and kind;

but here I give reverence to
this kindness —
Love that is birthed from
a genuine heart,
adhering to a strong sense
of accountability

the one that tastes bitter
but healthy
the one whose beestings
make up the honeycomb

Love that is faithful to discipline
that I may be saved from
this cycle of misguided choices

one that is void of lies
but a fountain of truth
that I may not fall
into the hands
of my fickle feelings
the kind that accepts,
but does not tolerate
the tantrums of a deceitful heart

to the world, she may seem rude
and offensive
to the flesh, painful
but her kind
is fuel to the soul

I die to the will of my heart
and refuse to be a fool,
for I do not know everything
I convince myself daily, to rather be chastised
by her shrewd judgment
than be gifted with empty words

only those who thirst for wisdom,
thirst for her kindness