The Two of Us, a Love Story

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

Reader ‘Jean-Claude’ who lives in Paris once emailed me about this poem to say how much he could relate to it. What better praise for a poem than it lets the reader into it?  I wrote it as my thoughts turned to a particularly memorable June night there many years ago...

I would also like to take the opportunity yet again to recommend a delightful DVD  'Juste une question d'amour' ( Just a Question of Love) which take a delightful and sensitive look at the difficulties the parents of some gay people experience in coming to terms with their son's homosexuality.

I have a friend who lives in Lille who still feels he cannot break it to his parents that he has a boyfriend even though they have been in a relationship for some years. Sadly, there are gay people worldwide who feel they cannot be open about their sexuality for one reason or another. In my friend's case, he is burdened with a whole load of Catholic guilt; in other parts of the world, gay people have anti-gay legislation to contend with and live with the threat of imprisonment or worse. It is a sad indictment on a 21st century from whose socio-cultural-political and religious elements we deserve better.

I find the rise of the Far Right across Europe very disturbing, not least because it plays on people's fears regarding the extent of immigration. While it is true that many immigrants are from cultures that are intrinsically homophobic, and many seem unwilling to change their attitudes towards gay men and women, we should never forget that the policies of the Far Right are as essentially homophobic as they are racist. No one who deplores prejudice of any kind should ever vote for these people.

Gay couple outside a cafe in Paris; photo by Braden Summers (Internet)

THE TWO OF US, A LOVE STORY

Under Paris stars, 
one night in June - a nightingale 
sang our tune;
we embraced, 
exchanging vows - with tongues
of fire

No chill of darkness
undermining or intruding upon
our happiness;
your hand in mine 
as kissed and exchanged rings
said it all...

Come morning, 
sweet night bade us each a fond
"au'revoir";
a minute’s silence
for two singles joined together
(no matter what)

Cock crows 
as we embrace a parallel dawn,
bask in its glory;
love, icon
for all seasons, opening its petals
to the sky

Story told, the world over, me 
and my gay lover

Copyright R. N. Taber 2002; 2016

[Note: An earlier version of this poem appeared as ‘The Two of Us’ in First Person Plural, by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2002; revised ed. in e-format in preparation. 

A Hitchhiker's Guide to Christmas

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

Well, yes, it’s that time of year again.

Now, I’m no killjoy and it is always GOOD to see people happy and celebrating whatever the occasion. Regarding religious festivals, regular readers will know that I do not subscribe to any religion. Christmas cards were only ever a way of keeping in touch with people before the advent of computers.  (For anyone like me who have terrible handwriting, e-mails are a great idea.) 

Many thanks to all of you for supporting my blogs. I can but trust you have found at least some  poems to enjoy. 

As for Christmas, however you feel about it, whoever and wherever you are, ENJOY and may its message of peace and goodwill to all humankind be for all time, not just at this time of year. Who knows? Maybe, just maybe, all humankind may even listen and learn one of these days…?

A HITCHIKER’S GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS

One Christmas Eve,

I sat alone by the fire,

content awhile

to watch familiar shapes

in feisty flames

invoke happy memories

of times long ago,

the world a kinder place

place where such

as you and me would live,

love, and hitch rides

to gay-friendly galaxies

on wishing stars,

exploring the potential

for Happy-Ever-After

One Christmas Eve,

I felt alone by the fire,

saddened so

to watch familiar faces

coming and going

like players on a stage

acting out memories

for an audience of one,

all those who lived

for love by hitching rides

to gay-friendly galaxies

on wishing stars invoking

Happy-Ever-Afters

for any less touched by love

than seems fair

One Christmas Eve,

I almost let the fire go out

for empathising

with flickering flames

struggling

to stay feisty, a losing battle

from the start

where the heart not in it

when suddenly

one flame leapt higher

than the rest

as if making the point

that all’s not lost

till we wish it of open hearth

and inner self

One Christmas Eve,

I took a new lease of life

for taking my cue

from a fire all but gone

to embers,

the spirit of love and peace

risen like a phoenix

for getting push and shove

from an understanding

that past loves never fade,

are an inspiration,

forever banging on doors

to be let in…

if only to share more hitchhikes

on wishing stars

Copyright R N. Taber 2016

A Window on Christmas

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

There is nothing sinful, criminal or wrong with the love between two gay men or women. Others will always disagree, and sometimes we might even feel sufficiently put down by various socio-cultural-religious bigots among the heterosexual majority to start doubting the deeper truth and wisdom of our own feelings.

In my experience, something (or someone) always happens along to restore our faith in ourselves, in human nature and in a greater good that does not exclude the gay ethos in its ringing endorsement of human love.

A WINDOW ON CHRISTMAS

I could hear cock robin’s song in the air;
at a window I watched first snowflakes fall,
missing you so, wishing we could share
that gift of love at Christmas meant for all

Your religion forbids our kind of love,
you feared rejection by family and friends,
so we kissed farewell under stars above,
forgetting that true love's dream never ends

In the distance, I could hear bells ringing
tidings meant to fill lonely hearts with cheer;
at my own front door, an angel singing
about love. peace and goodwill everywhere

Caught in a window’s wintry reflection
I saw a tearstained face raise a sunny smile,
broken hearts mending, moment divine,
snowflakes reminiscent of a wedding veil

I rushed to my front door, flung it open wide
to fall into your arms, our first Christmastide

Copyright R. N. Taber 2012; 2018

[Note: An earlier version of this poem appears under the title 'First Christmas' in Accomplices to Illusion by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2007.]

Human Spirit, the Making of Us (All)

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

There will always be some who refuse to get their heads around the fact that there are millions of us gay people amongst all humankind making as equally valuable a contribution to its humanity as our heterosexual neighbours. The trouble is, humankind comprises multiple closed shops marketing multiple closed hearts under various socio-cultural-religious and political umbrellas. Fortunately, the human spirit is an open house and will yet see the  greater part of humanity prove itself the better for that.

Spirituality emanates from a person's mind-body-spirit; no religion has a monopoly on it. To me, it seems absurd to suggest that a non-religious person cannot, by default, experience a sense of spirituality; bonding with nature is no less of a spiritual experience than embracing God as defined by whatever dogma. Yes, people will argue for one concept or another, but is it not agreeing to differ that makes us human?

HUMAN SPIRIT, THE MAKING OF US (ALL)

When folks ask why I’m gay,
I tell them I was born this way

Some will say it can’t be true,
any God has better things to do
than create distorted images
to blot humankind’s copybook,
rewrite history’s pages,
make religions take a long look
at themselves, leave cultures
to those power-hungry vultures
that love to preach and lead,
assuming their authority as read

Some suggest my sexuality
is irreconcilable with spirituality;
they, so blessedly taken in
by interpretations of Holy Books,
a case for eternity that brooks
no argument among those afraid
of condoning, let alone trying
to understand bigotry they’re sold
by those we’re told know better
how best we live with one another

People accuse me of blasphemy
(at best, a penchant for immorality)
thus putting me on the defensive
for what has to be a clear distortion
of what Holy Books have in mind
for each person (Oh, so what am I?);
Ah, but taking issue asks we see
how and why there is a place for each
and every one of us, regardless
of our colour, creed, sex or sexuality

Those folks who ask why I am as I am
might well ask the same of themselves

Copyright R. N. Taber 2012; 2020

[Note: An earlier version of this poem under the title ‘Found Wanting' appears in Tracking the Torchbearer by R. N. Taber, Assembly Book, 2012]

Oh, but Santa's running So-o-oo Late

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

This poem was written in 1996. In many societies and communities, attitudes towards gay people have changed for the better, but many remain bigoted, a carbuncle on the face of human nature. Yet, we are a common humanity driven by a common desire for love and peace…so where, oh, where did humanity lose the plot?

Religious festivals, Christian or otherwise, acknowledge the power of peace and love so if we all seek the same goal, why can’t we put our differences aside and put spiritual aspiration into practice across a world that still has much to learn…?

Many gay people enjoy family life, but many others find themselves rejected by family simply because even love is not enough to overcome old prejudices. Family should be all about love and peace...should it not? (Mind you, mine hasn't for years, as much my fault as theirs,) 

Religion, too, is frequently found to contradict itself, not least by being somewhat selective as to whom it offers 'universal' peace and love since one invariably needs to be of the same persuasion for it to be meaningful in either spiritual or practical terms. 

Oh, there are exceptions to every unwritten rule, and bless 'em all, the irony being that coming together in peace and love  has long been recorded in those very Holy Book from which world religions profess to take their cue.

OH, BUT SANTA'S RUNNING SO-O-OO LATE

Christmas, a special time of year,

thoughts of home deserve a special tear;

loneliness, greater than a fear

of nights and days, maze without end

(it seems) in worst waking dreams;

whatever creed or need, here's hoping

for the strength to endure, ways

to be sure that - for all our pain - we’ll get

to laugh, find peace and love again

Kisses flaunted on Queer Street, 
one for each chair left haunted each year,

along with with evergreen comfort and joy
just for being there

Ah, Christmas! Dreamy yearnings

of the heart, wistful thoughts like mistakes

on a fire; flames risen higher

and higher as we pile on self-blame,

calling out in Someone's name

to restore us, cool and clean - to a world

that needs must hang its head 

in shame no more or leave us for dead

at some mindful spirit's door

Who to wipe our tears, calm our fears, 
rewrite history, let us hold our heads high
while we negotiate (blindly) a festive maze 
of bigotry and hate?

Oh, but Santa running so-o-oo late...

Copyright R. N. Taber 2001; 2016 (Rev. + new title, 2018)

[Note: An earlier version of this poem first appeared under the title 'Crisis at Christmas' in Love and Human Remains by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2000.]