The Love That Sleeps

The Love That Sleeps

I drew this in one sitting one evening while I was still attending college.  I had a terrible crush on someone and I couldn't bring myself to explore it.  I had never felt that strongly about anyone before and it frightened me, destabilized my thoughts, my reserve.  I recall when I put the various elements of this drawing together, I was imagining what it would be like if I could just keep those feelings below the surface and hopefully put them to sleep. 

On the right side of the page, I drew on a vertical slant a bird with a long beak and spanned wings. The heart on the centre of page is connected by an umbilical cord to this bird who is trying to take flight.  The heart was not willing to let go or was unable to be dragged away.

The heart would like to follow but it is solidly fixed within the core of the man who seems deep in sleep.  His heart is not as strong as his intellect. The celestial umbilical cord is solidly attached to his head, feeding him with images, sounds, and smells.  The man's eyes are closed as if he is in a meditative state or is simply accepting the transferring or receiving of messages from his Higher Power.  

The deer antlers on the man's head symbolizes his crown of thorns, one that guards his manly pride and which keeps his enemies or friends at a certain distance.   

This drawing is a good example of how at the time I repressed those feelings and kept them at bay, even though the energy surrounding me wanted me to acknowledge what was burning inside me.  I chose to protect my heart.