http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber
For many of us, one of the worst aspects of the current pandemic is that bars and restaurants are closed and there is nowhere to meet up with friends, catch up and enjoy socialising; it has left a lot of people feeling lonely and isolated, especially those of us who live on our own.
Me, I use my imagination and let phone chats take me back to places I love to visit with friends. I missed out on my teenage years because we moved when I was 13 years old, I lost touch with old friends and found it hard to make new ones. In those days, I was an avid reader so I used to make friends with characters in my favourite novels, and it helped ease my loneliness. During the pandemic, I might watch a favourite TV program and transport myself into it, even interact with some of the characters. Such are the lengths to which loneliness can drive a person, but who cares if it works and we feel better for it? Mind you, we have to keep an eye on our marbles at the same time and make sure we are not losing any. <>
A popular local gay bar has been closed here now for about 5 years and is much missed, not least by yours truly. When I commented as much to a gay-friendly associate a year or so ago, he pointed out that there was less need for gay bars now because "Being gay is acceptable these days and there are laws to protect LGBT people. Political correctness means anyone can feel safe anywhere so why have bars specifically for a gay clientele?"
Well, for a start, political correctness is a non-starter for many people; they may not risk saying so in a public place, but many are as homophobic as they have ever been. Besides, no one understands the whole LGBT ethic as we do ourselves. We feel comfortable in each other's company and if you want to relax and enjoy yourself, being able to relax ia every bit as important as being able to feel safe.
A Chinese friend once commented that he loves going to Chinatown in central London, not just for the food and the people but for the pleasure of being able to make himself understood in his own language. LGBT people speak the same language. However sympathetic a straight person might bt towards LGBT folk they don't speak our language in a sense that they will never relate to us inquie the same way one of our own can. Yes, LGBT folks fall out with each other, some even actively dislike each other, but that's human nature, it has little if anything to do with sexuality.
Another thing about gay bars is that people are more willing and happy to talk to each other. (No, not necessarily chatting people up although some of that too ...) Before the coronavirus pandemic, I used to enjoy going into a local pub on my own and just chatting to people over a few drinks. In later years, though, I stopped going there because everyone would inevitably be too engaged with playing games or chatting on their mobile phones to even look up and engage in the kind of eye contact that would so often lead to a friendly chat even between complete strangers.
So, yes, I think there is as great a need now for gay bars as ever.
This poem is a kenning.
Simply get what I mean,
not what I say, together we'll see
LGBT on its way,
no matter political correctness
finding me wanting,
as no few public figures fronting
the world's religions
and its political persuasions relate
to my way of thinking
Call me Society, self-styled judge-jury
(still) finding LGBT "Guilty!"
For many of us, one of the worst aspects of the current pandemic is that bars and restaurants are closed and there is nowhere to meet up with friends, catch up and enjoy socialising; it has left a lot of people feeling lonely and isolated, especially those of us who live on our own.
Me, I use my imagination and let phone chats take me back to places I love to visit with friends. I missed out on my teenage years because we moved when I was 13 years old, I lost touch with old friends and found it hard to make new ones. In those days, I was an avid reader so I used to make friends with characters in my favourite novels, and it helped ease my loneliness. During the pandemic, I might watch a favourite TV program and transport myself into it, even interact with some of the characters. Such are the lengths to which loneliness can drive a person, but who cares if it works and we feel better for it? Mind you, we have to keep an eye on our marbles at the same time and make sure we are not losing any. <
A popular local gay bar has been closed here now for about 5 years and is much missed, not least by yours truly. When I commented as much to a gay-friendly associate a year or so ago, he pointed out that there was less need for gay bars now because "Being gay is acceptable these days and there are laws to protect LGBT people. Political correctness means anyone can feel safe anywhere so why have bars specifically for a gay clientele?"
Well, for a start, political correctness is a non-starter for many people; they may not risk saying so in a public place, but many are as homophobic as they have ever been. Besides, no one understands the whole LGBT ethic as we do ourselves. We feel comfortable in each other's company and if you want to relax and enjoy yourself, being able to relax ia every bit as important as being able to feel safe.
A Chinese friend once commented that he loves going to Chinatown in central London, not just for the food and the people but for the pleasure of being able to make himself understood in his own language. LGBT people speak the same language. However sympathetic a straight person might bt towards LGBT folk they don't speak our language in a sense that they will never relate to us inquie the same way one of our own can. Yes, LGBT folks fall out with each other, some even actively dislike each other, but that's human nature, it has little if anything to do with sexuality.
Another thing about gay bars is that people are more willing and happy to talk to each other. (No, not necessarily chatting people up although some of that too ...) Before the coronavirus pandemic, I used to enjoy going into a local pub on my own and just chatting to people over a few drinks. In later years, though, I stopped going there because everyone would inevitably be too engaged with playing games or chatting on their mobile phones to even look up and engage in the kind of eye contact that would so often lead to a friendly chat even between complete strangers.
So, yes, I think there is as great a need now for gay bars as ever.
This poem is a kenning.
SOCIETY, JUDGE-AND-JURY
I take pleasure in torture.
oh, but slowly, relish the torment
of closet regret, trap of his
or her making, rarely deserving
of finding me here,
bent on making sure any dash
for freedom premature
or (worse) a botched job ending
in floods of tears
of finding me here,
bent on making sure any dash
for freedom premature
or (worse) a botched job ending
in floods of tears
If I show mercy sometimes,
it is but part of a darker strategy
intended only to deceive,
paint a prettier picture, convey
a false sense of security,
draw them in who think to know
the inner self better than I,
preferring to gloss over any truths
that fail to flatter
that fail to flatter
Simply get what I mean,
not what I say, together we'll see
LGBT on its way,
no matter political correctness
finding me wanting,
as no few public figures fronting
the world's religions
and its political persuasions relate
to my way of thinking
Call me Society, self-styled judge-jury
(still) finding LGBT "Guilty!"
Copyright R. N. Taber 2010; 2020
[Note: If you enjoy the poem, you
might want to dip into my general poetry blog sometime at https://rogertab.blogspot.com/ ]
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