G-A-Y, Epic Poetry

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

In my 70’s now, I sometimes find myself thinking about death, not in a negative or despairing way but curious and generally hopeful. I have never feared death, only pain. Whenever I (frequently) commune with nature, I rediscover a huge sense of reassurance which has to do with growth beauty and renewal although I cannot quite put my finger on just what it is that fills me with a sense of well-being  especially when I am feeling low or intensely reflective for one reason or another.

I have nature to thank for a strong sense of spirituality that has seen me through some BAD times and continues to inspire me as I struggle sometimes with the various ups and downs of growing old.

One day, I will depart for the evergreen foliage of Mount Parnassus. I can but hope people may remember me not only as a poet but also as a gay man who found much inspiration in both his sexual identity and the rest, neither of which contradicting an ever-growing sense of spirituality found in nature. (Religion does not have a monopoly on spirituality.)

While I do not subscribe to any religion, who’s to say that whatever life force some call ‘God’ did not simply create nature but IS nature?

G-A-Y, EPIC POETRY

As a wind across the world
blows cold,
and in the eyes of the world
I grow old,
where is the Word that says
we are free,
but for slaves to its prejudices
like you and me? 

As the sun across the world
sinks lower,
and people across the world
blame each other,
wherever in the world will I be
on my last day
and will all they say of me
is that I was gay? 

As a wind across the world
blows cold,
and in the eyes of the world
I grow old,
wherever in the world shall I lay
my head
if all they ever know of me
is I am dead? 

As the sun across the world
disappears
in ashes and dust, sum total
of our fears,
may I yet rediscover all the love
and humanity
kind folks always lend each other
as you to me? 

As a wind across the world
blows cold,
and in the eyes of the world
we grow old,
Earth Mother waits, ever ready
to acknowledge our part 
in an epic poem most LGBT folks
learn by heart

Copyright R. N. Taber 2009, rev. 2021