Togetherness, Badge of Pride

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

This reflective poem was written in 1983 during the latter days of my recovery from a severe nervous breakdown in 1979. I had lost all confidence in myself and my sexuality, but looking back on better, kinder, more positive times, I was able to survive a flood of mixed emotions and take my place in the real world again. I started a new job the same year.

TOGETHERNESS, BADGE OF PRIDE

Together was a long way;

some folks said it was the wrong way;

though we cared what they said,

went ahead, did it our way instead,

kept faith with each other;
joined your body to mine, let it patch up

a gaping hole in the soul,
proof enough we were doing

nothing wrong at all

We reinvented ourselves;

two of a kind, dancing mouth to mouth

on the same smile willing us,
applauding us that last long mile

on the road to a heaven

some people said would see us in hell,

but we knew better,

so long as we could be together,

making love forever

Time wasn’t on our side,

but stayed long enough for us to share

the beauty and glory of a love

inspiring sex of a kind to blow the mind

into pieces spinning time and space,

across galaxies where same sex lovers

have no need for a defence

against people who haven’t a clue

how it is for us

Forever sounds a long time;

some people said it was the wrong time,

but we didn’t listen,

did our own thing, leaving it to love

to take us through time and space,

across galaxies where same sex lovers

aren’t even expected to explain

to people who haven’t a clue how come

I’m still joined to you

Copyright R. N. Taber 2012; 2017

[Note: This poem has been revised since its first publication under the title 'Gift-Wrap' in Tracking the Torchbearer by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2012.]