Love is

broken in Spirit
but not faith: their
 trunks carved by Life
yet, places no blame
upon the hand
wielding the knife;
 
dry-furrowed Souls
  who continue to believe:
despite unrequited efforts
they'll never understand—
  though carry on  
  until their backs bleed;  
 
a combatant fighter
 using defensive maneuvers
to shield unhealed scars
 from future wounds—
offering nonetheless  
 themselves unto service  
whenever called upon;  
 
doesn't try to bury
  the hurt from remembering—
sits with it quietly instead
  learning the lesson it taught
  until free to move on  
 
Love is endurance—
  ceasing without end
even unto death
its capacity to give
  despite circumstance
~