As in certain other countries around the world, LGBT relationships remain a criminal offence in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, punishable by imprisonment at the very least. Every now and again, I hear from gay readers in these parts of the world and am asked to write a poem. Only recently, I found myself chatting to Viraj, a visitor from a city in India where he and his male partner are forced to give the appearance of living separate lives.
At 72+, I suspect my Muse (like me) is less able these days, but have produced the following villanelle for the likes of people like Arijit and his secret love, wherever they may be, living in fear of reprisals by the less enlightened who remain immovably entrenched in one form or another of socio-cultural-religious dogma.
THE INDIA NO ONE SEES or GAY IN DELHI
At 72+, I suspect my Muse (like me) is less able these days, but have produced the following villanelle for the likes of people like Arijit and his secret love, wherever they may be, living in fear of reprisals by the less enlightened who remain immovably entrenched in one form or another of socio-cultural-religious dogma.
THE INDIA NO ONE SEES or GAY IN DELHI
Fine
temples casting a long shadow
on
centuries of human history,
River
of Time running, oh, so slow
In
vain may Winds of Change blow
(wake-up
call to the 21st century?);
fine temples casting a long shadow
In
truth, we came ourselves to know,
(as
birds to a tree if never openly)
River of Time running, oh, so slow…
Hunters,
a tiger’s tracks surely follow,
(child
of Earth Mother, born free);
fine
temples casting a long shadow
Where
same sex lovers afraid to go
(says
the Tarot of social misery)
River
of Time running, oh, so slow
Underwriting
an ages-old status quo
disrespecting
homosexuality,
fine
temples casting a long shadow,
River
of Time running, oh, so slow
Copyright
R. N. Taber 2018
