AND FINALLY
A poem to gladden the heart...
A HANDWRITTEN note from a reader called Alasdair made me smile wryly — yet pleased me greatly.
He begins: ‘I confess I don’t usually read your column because people writing in with their personal issues is rather alienating to me and I really don’t want to read about them.’
But he then went on to praise something from ‘And Finally’ that week, which was a small mercy for your columnist because at least he’d read something!
Still, I thought it a shame that he so disapproves of people sharing their personal, private woes. Of course, this method of communication isn’t for everybody, but I’d love him to realise it can help and do good.
He then cheered me: ‘I know people sometimes send you poems so I thought I’d contribute my all-time favourite. It resonates with my soul — if I can say that without sounding pseudo and even pompous! This poem encapsulates my philosophy of life — that although there are bad people out there, they are outnumbered by the good.’
Here’s his choice, by the reclusive 19th-century American poet, Emily Dickinson:
If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.
That is perfect for an advice columnist — expressing why I love this job, even though it often makes me sad. It’s about the kind of selfless love for humankind and the world that we should all aspire to.
I found an interesting contradiction between the attitude of a man who didn’t want to read about the problems of others and the big-hearted soul choosing this favourite poem. Maybe Alasdair is more in touch with his feelings than he thinks.
PS: By the way, do take a look at my Valentine’s Day message on Mail Plus. Go to mailplus.co.uk
Bel answers readers’ questions on emotional and relationship problems each week. Write to Bel Mooney, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, london W8 5TT, or email bel.mooney@dailymail.co. uk. Names are changed to protect identities. Bel reads all letters but regrets she cannot enter into personal correspondence.