Thursday, 21 March 2019

Looking for a Good Result OR Gay in Kyrgyzstan

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


It is always very rewarding for any poet, but especially a gay poet like myself to get positive feedback from readers suggesting that at least some of my poems help to keep the flames of LGBT human rights alive where they currently give out little more than a show of light, let alone any comforting warmth. 

Same sex relationships are not illegal in Kyrgyzstan (Yes, I had to look it up on Wikipedia too!) but gay and transgender men and women are invariably given a hard time if they ‘go public’ in the wrong place at the wrong time.

 Sadly, it is not an uncommon story worldwide, even in (too) many parts of the supposedly ‘civilised’ West as demonstrated only too often by the less discerning among us (if discreetly) on a daily basis. 

“What freedom men and women could have, were they not constantly tricked and trapped and enslaved and tortured by their sexuality! The only drawback in that freedom is that without it one would not be a human. One would be a monster.” ― John Steinbeck, East of Eden





LOOKING FOR A GOOD RESULT or GAY IN KYRGYZSTAN

More mountains to climb, seeds to sow,
self-styled ‘betters’ needing to do (far) better
at listening to LGBT voices worldwide

If no human life meant to be lived alone,
trust love will find a way into any lonely heart
come in from the cold, the better to survive

Mind-body-spirit, towering above its critics
wherever needs must love be kept under wraps,
keyword, freedom, but a ghost on the street

In a world seeking to keeping up appearances,
hope springs eternal, likely to expose any enemy,
demand it cut and share keys to locked doors

Where wolves ever prowling flocks for a feed,
find a good shepherd on high alert night and day,
Earth Mother sharing watches, keeping faith

If the world is a jigsaw, may its pieces yet fall
into place, no self-interested powers-that-be trying
to make any wrong pieces pass for a good result

 Copyright R. N. Taber 2019

No comments: