To have the needy parishioner
kneel at your feet in perplexity
as he or she so struggles
with issues of faith and spirituality.
Can you but comprehend
the inevitable power, command?

To have the knowledge
of the world of psychotherapy,
regress the client,
heal the wounded intimacy.
Can you but see
the growing grandiosity?!

The candle of life's flame
cuts its cruel shadows
from outstretched healing hands
across those vulnerable hearts.
They came in trust, yet were betrayed
by those who came with the intent
to heal, but they were so incompetent,
so unaware of their own needs and lurking shades
in darkest unacknowledged caverns
of their own souls and their professions.

Beware, your client may well lift you
in their regressed fantasy
(let's not forget it was induced by you)
up to the heights of holiest divinity.
But take a healthy look
at your own frail humanity.

Embrace your shadow, before inflicting carnage
on the unsuspecting child of your client's soul.
Protecting your and their boundaries.
And then with serious humour smile
at your human feet of clay (no you're not god!)
firmly planted on this planet's sod.