Letters from an Open Prison OR Gay in Beijing

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

It is 2016 and the Chinese New Year of the Monkey. A (closet) reader in Beijing has emailed to ask if I would write a poem for Chinese men and women in China. He says he cannot 'come out' due to family obligations; understandable, but sad.

As always, my poem could relate to anyone, anywhere, unable or unwilling to be openly gay in a predominantly gay-unfriendly society.; it can be like living in an open prison.

Although openly gay for many years, I will never forget tough, closet days as a teenager and young man. Nor should we openly gay men and women ever presume to be be in the least judgemental towards any who feel unable to announce their sexuality to others.  As always, too, the heart will have its reasons.

Beijing - photo from the Internet

LETTERS FROM AN OPEN PRISON or GAY IN BEIJING

Waking to an open prison every day,
hidden bars haunting me,
(no criminal.no psycho, just gay.)

The family is everything, they say,
must always take priority;
waking to an open prison every day

Loved ones, friends, come what may.
my true self, they will not see.
(no criminal or psycho, just gay.)

Ah, but we will never turn truth away,
but let our (gay) love run free,
waking to an open prison every day

Only a fool will keep true love at bay
for the sake of local propriety;
(no criminal or psycho, just gay.)

Loving sons and daughters, we stay,
paying lip service to The Party;
waking to an open prison every day,
(no criminal, no psycho, just gay.)


Copyright R. N. Taber 2016