http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber
As a general rule, it is true to say that LGBT rights in Mexico have kept pace with modern legal trends. Yet, just like so many other places in the world, some people and communities are less willing - if at all - to accept change, leading to backlashes against those whose sexuality does not conform to so-called ‘normal’ behaviour. No surprises there, though, as I guess there will always be people and communities over whom various socio-cultural-religious prejudices will always have the upper hand.
A Mexican reader emailed me recently and gave me the idea for this poem. I invariably write in the first person to give a greater sense of immediacy, at the same time leaving the reader space in which to move and make up his or her own mind as to whether the poem ‘works’ for them or not. Even so, I can’t deny that something of me finds its way into every poem I write, not least in this case because I once crossed the U.S.- Mexican border into Tijuana years ago when staying in San Diego, and made a good friend there…
TUNING IN TO THE HEART or G-A-Y, DOWN MEXICO WAY
Down Mexico way
one cloudy sun afternoon,
I met up with a man,
humming along out of tune
to a love duet
playing on a distant radio
tugging at my heart
We chatted away
about everything and nothing,
had plenty to say
as anyone might when trying
to reason and decide
what’s with a total stranger
homing in at your side
Not a handsome man
nor ugly to outer or inner eye,
somehow in tune
with a watery sun in the sky
boding stormy weather,
contriving a smile as if to say
we look good together
Just as it started to rain
we arrived at a red brick house,
time to make a decision
(if asked in, accept or refuse?)
resolved what to say,
no denying a mutual attraction
as one, in tune, and gay
Ah, but this was Tijuana,
where Progress may wink its eye,
being gay not the horror
where some would yet see us lie
for ‘polluting’ this Earth
(though its betters do their best)
like a hypocrite’s oath
Someone tuned the radio
into another station, playing poplar
Mexican pop duo
Jesse and Joy (brother and sister)
seeming to approve
our entering the house together
and (later) making love
Copyright R. N. Taber 2016
As a general rule, it is true to say that LGBT rights in Mexico have kept pace with modern legal trends. Yet, just like so many other places in the world, some people and communities are less willing - if at all - to accept change, leading to backlashes against those whose sexuality does not conform to so-called ‘normal’ behaviour. No surprises there, though, as I guess there will always be people and communities over whom various socio-cultural-religious prejudices will always have the upper hand.
A Mexican reader emailed me recently and gave me the idea for this poem. I invariably write in the first person to give a greater sense of immediacy, at the same time leaving the reader space in which to move and make up his or her own mind as to whether the poem ‘works’ for them or not. Even so, I can’t deny that something of me finds its way into every poem I write, not least in this case because I once crossed the U.S.- Mexican border into Tijuana years ago when staying in San Diego, and made a good friend there…
TUNING IN TO THE HEART or G-A-Y, DOWN MEXICO WAY
Down Mexico way
one cloudy sun afternoon,
I met up with a man,
humming along out of tune
to a love duet
playing on a distant radio
tugging at my heart
We chatted away
about everything and nothing,
had plenty to say
as anyone might when trying
to reason and decide
what’s with a total stranger
homing in at your side
Not a handsome man
nor ugly to outer or inner eye,
somehow in tune
with a watery sun in the sky
boding stormy weather,
contriving a smile as if to say
we look good together
Just as it started to rain
we arrived at a red brick house,
time to make a decision
(if asked in, accept or refuse?)
resolved what to say,
no denying a mutual attraction
as one, in tune, and gay
Ah, but this was Tijuana,
where Progress may wink its eye,
being gay not the horror
where some would yet see us lie
for ‘polluting’ this Earth
(though its betters do their best)
like a hypocrite’s oath
Someone tuned the radio
into another station, playing poplar
Mexican pop duo
Jesse and Joy (brother and sister)
seeming to approve
our entering the house together
and (later) making love
Copyright R. N. Taber 2016
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