In Her Eyes
by
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Bleeding Heart The world is coming up blooms. Bleeding heart. Hyacinth. Forsythia. Names, like old-fashioned tunes, not heard much any more. The ancients are awakening. Healing circle. Fire pit. Prayer. Activities, like long-forgotten dances, awaiting our participation. Raising our voices in Unison, we shape the future with our words. M.L. Beal, MD April 26, 2006
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About the Book
Healing Poetry for Living in the Moment Digging deeply and honestly, sifting through struggle, touching reverent love and revealing the luminescence of nature -- In Her Eyes is the discovery of life as it unfolds in the mind. Undulating between the rifts and swells of life, Melissa Beal reveals the tapestry of her own experiences. With the freedom of poetry, she journeys through the fear and anger of her sexual abuse, near-death event and ovarian cancer. Alternately, she writes of her work as a pathologist, ardent love and the intricate metaphors of the natural world. Her poems find beauty in dark places, glory in nature and love, ultimately offering readers a paradigm for being present in each moment of life.
About the Author
Life’s path gets a little bumpy for most people, with occasional switchbacks and partly sunny skies. For Melissa Beal, until now, life has been uphill struggle, with storms momentous enough to wash the trail away - and her away with it. She was raped for years by her grandfather as a child, had a near-death experience and broke both legs mountain climbing at 20, confronted her alcohol dependency in 2004, then was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2006. Perseverance and Grace coming from deep within paved the way for Melissa to overcome these obstacles, be of service with her work, and now, to impart healing poetry. The acute crises in her life became catalysts. Her sexual abuse and accident treatment motivated her to enroll at Occidental College in biology, graduate from Oregon Health Sciences University as an MD, then earn a Fellowship at USC in Pathology. Her father’s death in 1997 and an intensive alcohol rehabilitation program opened the door to Melissa’s introspective and creative self. And so, when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and started treatment just two years later, she was reflective and open, ready to allow her poetry flow. Through the course of her successful battle with cancer, Melissa penned poems that illuminated moments in her life with beauty and reverence. At present, Melissa lives comfortably in Salem, Oregon with her partner showing their Appaloosa horses and enjoying walks on the beach in Newport, Oregon. Retiring from 18 years of service at Pacific Pathology Associates, Inc. in December 2008, Melissa is looking forward to the opportunities of creative freedom ahead.