In a message dated 07/20/2002 12:42:54 PM Central Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< Dear Sue,
  I like the gentle mood of this, but I was very confused by the last verse.
 What exactly is like a fawn that cries for its mother? -as it seems there
 are three possibilities,but none seem a particularly appropriate comparison
 to me. >>
And was there someone who called
my name, touched me as I dreamed?

Under snow, a green whorl moves,
the coming spring no heart lets go,
like a fawn that cries for its mother,
out of view, moss on the north side
where she feeds.

Gary, the coming spring is a symbol of hope for a future reunion with the
beloved.  The tenor is unnamed in both these metaphors.  The metaphor is
extended in the image of the fawn which cannot see his mother though she is
close by, just as faith is the evidence of things unseen.  Many of us live on
hope and faith, a fare no more nourishing sometimes than visions of a coming
spring or of moss or green swirls,  but it is all we have.  I could have
stated these things directly but wanted the poem to be more subtle and
layered, sifting like snow.  It might be an interesting experiment for the
group to write a poem using an unnamed tenor.  Emily Dickinson did it all the
time.  Sometimes her poems are puzzling for this reason, but eventually the
reader has the pleasure of discovery. Anyway, I thank you for your comments,
and I am always glad to have your help.  Sue (smile).  I am glad you held me
accountable, but when a poet explicates his work it is rather strange, taking
the shine off the magic or pinning a butterfly.