yes, the bond between mother and child can indeed be a powerful one, and, as you say, primal yet graceful (nice expression btw!)
So.. how about "father and child"?
I have been observing my daughter with her new baby, and my son-in-law with his new daughter. It has been most fascinating.
Daphne, let me tell you a bit about my relationship with my daughter. I will try. It for me is to, the most powerful relationship I have ever witnessed. She is the most precious thing that I have ever encountered in my life. A treasure, a teacher, a mirror. I have this French Pyrenesse mountain dog. When Lydia was two she would play with this dog like it was nothing. These dogs are pretty big but known for being docial socially. One day a scream of terror came from Lydia in the living room. I come rushing in to see this dog having her pinned on the floor pawing (scratching) on her back. With no for thought on my end, I went up to that dog and cold cocked that bitch right square in the jaw. So hard that I thought one of use were going to have something broke as a result (either my hand or her jaw) we both ended up ok after the swelling in my hand went down and after the dog regained her senses. That dog has never "played" with Lydia in that way again, ever.
I'm a laid back dude. Or at least I like to think that I am. However, when it comes to this there's nothing that won't stop me from protecting her. It was this incident that I realized just how powerful my bond is with my child.
Yes the mother to Lydia is the protector, in an emotional sense yes. However, my role is protector to.....more physical. (And spiritual to at times)