Answering to Nature

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

Today’s poem was written in 1982 while I was still recovering from a severe nervous breakdown; if the latter was by no means entirely down to a crisis of sexuality down growing up in an intrinsically homophobic environment, I cannot deny it played a significant part.

Trust Earth Mother to know better than those tunnel vision bigots who insist gay relationships are unnatural. She may well be called to put our case even to her own, and always win.

Ah, but no surprises there, really. After all, what is more natural than birth or the sexuality to which we are born?

ANSWERING TO NATURE

I heard a willow tree call my name,

down by the riverside,

as I surrendered to a rising flame,

and Apollo applauded

Sternly, the willow sounded us out

upon our intrusion;

what on earth were two men about,

engaging in such passion?

Frantically, we fought fire with fire

arms around each other,

as old Willow debated natural order

with Earth Mother

To how well Willow argued his case,

we were never privy,

but Earth Mother put him in his place

if birdsong anything to go by

We soared on wings of a symphony,

to share Apollo’s throne,

a natural life-force and its spirituality

ensuring our safe return

Never did a bed feel more heavenly

than where we lay, spent, to rest,

answering to none but a willow tree

persuaded Mother knows best

Copyright R. N. Taber 1982; 2013