Sanctuary

I seek one who appreciates 
The shelter of my wings,
Won't fear the darkness
   Of the down,
The silence of the things;

Who revels in the warmth
And doesn't fear my
   Gleaming eyes,
But hears my adoration
With a hint of mild surprise;

For what's this light within
   My eyes
But your reflected glory?
And what's my purpose
But to share your
   Quiet bedtime story?

These pinions, black as
   Smoking pitch
May bear my soul aloft,
But better yet to keep
   Cold rain
From chilling cheeks
   So soft,

So I will fold them around
   You,
And bear the rain on me,
Exposing all that's
   Underneath
For only you to see,

And if you choose to stay
   Beneath,
Embracing me as well,
I'll have from that
   Sufficient strength
To face the wrath of hell.

by Paul Hodges