ALLEN ROLAND'S
FEBRUARY 2004 NEWSLETTER
ODE TO A YOUNG DOE GRAZING
Since February is Valentine month I thought it would be
appropriate to share a valentines poem I wrote to a great love
in February 1998 which many consider one of my best poems.
It was Mignon McLaughlin who wrote " the best work is done
with the heart breaking , or overflowing . "
My heart was overflowing at that time and I was obviously
probing a depth of love and tenderness within myself that
longed to be expressed and shared.
On re-reading the poem ~ I realize that I am touching that
same tender chord everyday in my work as a psychotherapist as I
jump start people's closed or damaged hearts.
And therein lies this obvious truth ~ When we love deeply,
freely and fearlessly our heart expands until we realize, as I do, that we have become a fragment of lifes's heart.
Which, by the way, is the true purpose of a great love ~to expand your heart !
As such, how can we deny what is deepest within ourselves
when, indeed, it is love and joy that truly reside beneath our anger, pain and fear.
So it is from that place of love and joy that I share this poem
from my heart to yours ~
Ode to a young doe grazing
Soft brown eyes reveal
a gentle doe
alone in a darkened
meadow
Legs slightly shaking
as I approach
For no man
has ever entered
this lonely space
Only my pure heart
keeps her from
bolting
She steps back
as I put out
my hand
Part of her wants
to run
But something
deep inside
tells her
It's safe
It's warm
It's time !
Trembling with fear
she steps forward
unable to resist
the pull from
within
And the moment
I gently touch
her face
The warm sun
penetrates
the darkened meadow
Revealing all around her
the beauty ~ long cloaked
by fear and sadness
Shuddering with new found
joy and delight
Heart chakra
spinning wildly
She begins to
realize
She will never be
alone again !
ONLY LOVE HEALS
Allen L Roland, Ph.D
