Ilga Svechs, who is an associate member at the Cleveland Psychoanalytic Center, has a Ph.D. in developmental psychology and a master's of social work degree. She teaches a course entitled “The Role of Culture in Psychoanalysis” to the candidates in Cleveland. Svechs practices part time in psychotherapy and is an emeritus professor in social work at Case Western Reserve University.
This poem, “Life's Markers,” explores the intensity of primary attachment and poses questions about the equally intense nature of separateness.
Life's Markers
A newborn's inconsolable cry…thedawning innate awareness of lifeas one and all.The pattering feet, clasping hands andkissing of toes. A soothing lullaby beforethe morn of smarting awareness forthe other, the different, the mother.Life's cruel paradox.Is Freud's primal sense of self bearingthe seeds of Darwin's evolution?A prophetic trumpet summonshuman resilience to survive for thezenith of life…to cease the self to all.Yet, the encased love of two liveson…a thread in evolution's web.
Sheri Butler Hunt, M.D., is an adult training and consulting analyst and a certified analyst in the child division at the Seattle Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. A published poet and member of TAP's editorial board, she welcomes reader's comments, suggestions, and poetry submissions at .