http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber
A teacher concerned about homophobic bullying in her school has asked me for a poem to kick-start a class discussion. I sent the one below and can but hope that any classes to whom she reads the poem will have something positive to say about it. She goes on to say she is particularly concerned about one boy who plays truant a lot and when asked why, told her that he is gay and nobody want him so why should he bother with anyone else. I hope she has suggested gay counselling and/ or joining a gay group in his area. She is welcome to give him my email address. Whatever, the poor lad is obviously in need of a heavy dose of positive thinking. There really should be far more discussion about gay issues in schools. As it is, the majority are breeding grounds for homophobes.
Now and then teachers ask me if they can use poems I post on my blogs and my answer is always, yes. However, the copyright to all the poems I post is exclusively mine so please ask me first if only so I can keep track of what poems are being used and get some feedback. I don’t expect everyone to like every poem I write. Fair enough. I know some of you hate villanelles while just as many of you love them. Every writer feeds on criticism, good or bad so long as it is fairly constructive; it is helpful to know what it is about a poem that someone loves or hates or feels does its theme no favours.
Another teacher kindly got in touch to say he uses my blogs as ‘an educational resource’ and says many kids respond to my poems about street crime, bullying, multiculturalism etc. gay-interest poems too although use of these in schools appears to be minimal. I have to say, any suggestion that I am providing an ‘educational resource’ thrilled me to bits.
I try to reflect this sorry world of ours warts ‘n’ all; life, love, nature, war and peace. Most of the time, I try to lift the reader and end a poem on a positive note. Sadly, though, there is much to be lifted from and this doesn’t always happen.
Meanwhile...
I have been (very) distracted by my prostate cancer, but will be back on a regular basis before too long. Now and then, I'l drop by with a new poem and let you know how I am responding to treatment. In the meantime, Graham and I hope to continue filming for YouTube at various UK locations, so you will find me there at:
http://www.youtube.com/rogerNtaber
As for that schoolboy and far too many like him who feel rejected, I can only say that I always found a cousin's advice invaluable, who told me "Never think twice about rejecting those who reject you for your sexuality since their company is not worth having in the first place. "Love," she added wryly, "is inclined sometimes to lose its way, especially if means having to stand up and be counted ..."
A REJECT’S SONG
There’s a word, or so I’m told
is not for hearing or sight
but shutting out in a killing cold
like a pup on a wintry night
The word, I’m earnestly assured
is a key to the Devil’s lair
so a dead cert I’ll be damned
if I ever venture there;
a word, consuming all of me
since I was a child,
learning on my father’s knee
about sin running wild,
sure to shadow my every step
in a world holding me
to promises I would never keep
surrounding my sexuality
Such a word I’d come to learn
(in the arms of a lover)
that no God will strike me down
for its breaking cover;
a word that dares to remind
any who stand in my way
that any Creator of humankind
allowed love its say
(and free will) given a chance
to prove its humanity
if frequently led a merry dance
by certain powers-that-be
Look, where doves and eagles fly,
writing up the world’s history,
see nature inscribe the legend G-A-Y,
testament to its bigotry
Copyright R. N. Taber 2010
Take care, all of you, keep well and – be happy!
a BIG HUG from
Roger x
A teacher concerned about homophobic bullying in her school has asked me for a poem to kick-start a class discussion. I sent the one below and can but hope that any classes to whom she reads the poem will have something positive to say about it. She goes on to say she is particularly concerned about one boy who plays truant a lot and when asked why, told her that he is gay and nobody want him so why should he bother with anyone else. I hope she has suggested gay counselling and/ or joining a gay group in his area. She is welcome to give him my email address. Whatever, the poor lad is obviously in need of a heavy dose of positive thinking. There really should be far more discussion about gay issues in schools. As it is, the majority are breeding grounds for homophobes.
Now and then teachers ask me if they can use poems I post on my blogs and my answer is always, yes. However, the copyright to all the poems I post is exclusively mine so please ask me first if only so I can keep track of what poems are being used and get some feedback. I don’t expect everyone to like every poem I write. Fair enough. I know some of you hate villanelles while just as many of you love them. Every writer feeds on criticism, good or bad so long as it is fairly constructive; it is helpful to know what it is about a poem that someone loves or hates or feels does its theme no favours.
Another teacher kindly got in touch to say he uses my blogs as ‘an educational resource’ and says many kids respond to my poems about street crime, bullying, multiculturalism etc. gay-interest poems too although use of these in schools appears to be minimal. I have to say, any suggestion that I am providing an ‘educational resource’ thrilled me to bits.
I try to reflect this sorry world of ours warts ‘n’ all; life, love, nature, war and peace. Most of the time, I try to lift the reader and end a poem on a positive note. Sadly, though, there is much to be lifted from and this doesn’t always happen.
Meanwhile...
I have been (very) distracted by my prostate cancer, but will be back on a regular basis before too long. Now and then, I'l drop by with a new poem and let you know how I am responding to treatment. In the meantime, Graham and I hope to continue filming for YouTube at various UK locations, so you will find me there at:
http://www.youtube.com/rogerNtaber
As for that schoolboy and far too many like him who feel rejected, I can only say that I always found a cousin's advice invaluable, who told me "Never think twice about rejecting those who reject you for your sexuality since their company is not worth having in the first place. "Love," she added wryly, "is inclined sometimes to lose its way, especially if means having to stand up and be counted ..."
A REJECT’S SONG
There’s a word, or so I’m told
is not for hearing or sight
but shutting out in a killing cold
like a pup on a wintry night
The word, I’m earnestly assured
is a key to the Devil’s lair
so a dead cert I’ll be damned
if I ever venture there;
a word, consuming all of me
since I was a child,
learning on my father’s knee
about sin running wild,
sure to shadow my every step
in a world holding me
to promises I would never keep
surrounding my sexuality
Such a word I’d come to learn
(in the arms of a lover)
that no God will strike me down
for its breaking cover;
a word that dares to remind
any who stand in my way
that any Creator of humankind
allowed love its say
(and free will) given a chance
to prove its humanity
if frequently led a merry dance
by certain powers-that-be
Look, where doves and eagles fly,
writing up the world’s history,
see nature inscribe the legend G-A-Y,
testament to its bigotry
Copyright R. N. Taber 2010
Take care, all of you, keep well and – be happy!
a BIG HUG from
Roger x
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