Beauty and the Beast

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

In the so-called liberal West, we have come a long way in achieving the same rights for gay men and women as anyone else; it is a huge step forward and needs to be emulated by more countries around the world  where gay people remain under threat of imprisonment or worse simply because of their sexuality. 

Even in the more liberal parts of Europe, though, many if not most gay people living and' or growing up in rural areas feel obliged to stay in the proverbial closet, possibly because these are often very close-knit communities less inclined to think favourably towards same sex relationships.  I had to move with my parents to just such an area in the UK while still at school; I was only 14 years-old and as if school wasn't bad enough, living there was a nightmare as I had already realised I am gay.

Homophobia is an offence against humanity.

It has to be said, the West cannot in all innocence deny any predilection for homophobia.  Far too many people continue to say one thing in public and the opposite behind closed doors.  Only the other day, I read that homophobic bullying is rife in many schools. Those parents, Head Teachers and others who turn a blind eye are every bit as guilty of homophobia as the bullies themselves.

It is tough on many young gay people, especially so for those whose culture of origin remains intrinsically homophobic.

The world needs to change for the better in many ways, not least regarding various socio-cultural-religious attitudes towards gay men and women more relevant to the Dark Ages than what should be a forward-looking twenty-first century.

While London, along with other major cities around the world may well celebrate a day of Gay Pride once a year, homophobia remains alive and kicking just about everywhere. Yet, every day should be a celebration of human and personal pride ... Meanwhile, we can but hope a day will come when everyone will participate regardless of age, colour, creed, sex or sexuality.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Distracted on country lanes, my love and I,

by spoilt brats playing up a parent

plainly too scared to but plead for acceptable

behaviour or risk being chased like a fox

beyond the pale, given society’s predilection

for what is just and fair, especially where

children are involved, trusting they will learn

a sense of responsibility, not turn out badly

in the long run

Pausing, my love and I, on country roads

to watch lambs skipping in a field,

reflecting how it was when we were young,

pretending we hadn’t a care in the world

to all but ourselves, looking over shoulders

when we thought someone might see us,

keeping to shadows for kisses they despise

who live in houses made of playing cards

(aces high)

Hugging, my love and I, for how things are

in the world, glad we have each other

to help us through what may pass for morality

but (invariably) is an excuse for sucking up

to those do-gooders who mean well but see

sweeping statements as a rule of thumb,

love to interpret nature’s laws along such lines

as human ends justifying human means

in the long run

Oh, beautiful countryside, all nature living free

but for human nature deriding our sexuality

Copyright R N Taber 2010, 2019

[Note: An earlier version of this poem appears under the title 'Country Ways' in On the Battlefields of Love by R, N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2010]