Poetry of Healing #2

This is the first poem I collected that reminded me of the experience of coming out of depression.  It appeared in THE RAG AND BONE SHOP OF THE HEART by Robert Bly.  It is by Antonio Machado and translated by Bly.  It demonstrates wonderfully the constructionist mindset:


LAST NIGHT

    Last night, as I was sleeping,
I dreamt---marvelous error!---
that a spring was breaking
out in my heart.
I said:  Along which secret aqueduct,
Oh water, are you coming to me,
water of a new life
that I have never drunk?

    Last night, as I was sleeping,
I dreamt---marvelous error!---
that I had a beehive
here inside my heart.
And the golden bees
were making white combs
and sweet honey
from my old failures.

    Last night, as I was sleeping,
I dreamt---marvelous error!---
that a fiery sun was giving
light inside my heart.
It was fiery because I felt
warmth as from a hearth,
and sun because it gave light
and brought tears to my eyes.

    Last night, as I slept,
I dreamt---marvelous error!---
that it was God I had
here inside my heart.

               Antonio Machado (trans. R. Bly)


A possible therapy homework task would be, to be on the alert for bees beginning their work in your person.  Which is not a bad idea for any of us to do.