Hello from London UK

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

Hi Everyone,

Sorry, no poem today, but I am working on one so... hopefully, soon.

Hope you are coping as well as any of us can in the middle of a pandemic. Me, I do try to keep looking on the bright(er) side of life, and manage to do just that most of the time, but - like everyone else - I have good days and bad days. On a good day, I can usually complete a poem to publish here, and that always lifts my mind-body-spirit.

A new reader appears to have taken offence by my suggesting that religion has no monopoly on spirituality. No matter, we will just have to agree to differ.  The same reader also disputes that I can have a sense of spirituality without believing in God as according to any religious agenda. Again, each to their own, surely? 

As I have said before on the blogs, also at my poetry reading on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, back in 2009 (my contribution to Antony Gormley's "One and Other" project that ran for 100 days) I see myself as a pantheist; I still do in so far as I see God as nature, not its creator. The reader clearly sees this as blasphemy, but I could never get my head around the idea of a personified God, even as a child; when I discovered pantheism, I could relate to it instantly. Besides, religious bigotry is not uncommon and - not least as a gay man - I find bigotry in any shape or form as distasteful as it is indefensible.]

No one has to embrace the religious beliefs of others to respect them, and I do, whatever reservations I might have, so how about this reader’s respecting mine…?

Another reader asks how I am coping with various medical issues, not last the prostate cancer with which I have been living since 2011. Again, good days and bad days, and the same with others problems.  Stress has a nasty habit of making us feel worse regarding just about anything likely to prey on the mind, even at the best of times; I dare say I am as prone to coronavirus stress ( hovering at about 80 on a sliding scale of 1 to 100) as anyone else! All we can do is take each day as it comes, for better or worse, and keep telling ourselves that life can only get better. Never easy, but do we have a choice?

Yet another reader is unhappy about my poems and preambles that suggest that my regular reference to ghosts as the personification of a posthumous consciousness indicates “an insultingly casual approach” to the death of loved-ones. Believe me, there is nothing ‘casual’ about it; it is a subject dear to my heart. I am 75 years-old, and those I have loved, as friends or more, are with me always, so great has been the impression they have made on me; impressions and precious memories that have helped me through good times and bad as well as exposing my flaws and showing me - not least by shining example - how to recognise and (hopefully) overcome them as needs must in the course of a lifetime.

Few if any of us are perfect. Others are as likely to take issue with what we consider out strengths as with any flaws or weaknesses, seeing them in a different light altogether. (How we come across to others is never easy to work out unless they tell us, and then it can sometimes come as a shock to mind-body-spirit. At the end of the day, though, I suspect it is how we see ourselves and what, if anything, we choose to do about it that counts, certainly in so far as managing self-confidence, self-consciousness or that old standby conscience is concerned.

Many thanks for dropping by, folks, always much appreciated,

Take care, be safe, and let's all try to nurture a positive mindset, whatever... 

Hugs,

Roger

PS New readers might like to take a look at poems in the blog archives now and then; they can be accessed on the right-hand side of any blog post.

[Note: This post also appears on my general poetry blog today.]

Forever OR An Existential Take on Close Relationships

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

Hello again, everyone, from London UK. Many thanks for dropping by, always much appreciated.

Still unwell here, but no coronavirus, just various medical issues (and old age) having their wicked way with me, but I’m hoping to complete another (general) poem soon, so… watch this space.

Q. How can I write poems when I feel unwell?

A. Because the effort required to motivate myself invariably energises me to tap into the Spirit of Creativity which, in turn (for better or worse) chases up mind-body-spirit for a poem. 

Meanwhile…

A poem is a poem is a poem, whatever it has to say. Could that, I wonder, be why feedback suggests more gay readers read both blogs? 

Now, apart from the availability of vaccines, good news in the course of a pandemic is hard to find, so I am more than happy to share some with you. A reader (gender unknown) has emailed to say that both  partners were rejected by their respective families several years ago for being gay “because our religion does not allow it. “Since the pandemic,” the reader goes on to say that “Both families have expressed concern for our welfare and are suggesting a reconciliation They are even willing to ‘tolerate’ our living in sin.” We don’t see our love for each other as a sin nor do we like the idea of being tolerated, but miss our families. What do you think? 

What I think is not important. What matters is what these two young people think. Since they miss their families, I suspect they would regret missing an opportunity to be reconciled. 

As for being tolerated, everyone may well feel they are treading on eggshells for a while, but it is always good news when blood gets the better of bigotry, and we all thrive on good news, so, hopefully, this will pass. I would be inclined to see how reconciliation shapes up while not expecting too much too soon. 

Whatever path his couple choose, I am sure any readers will join me in wishing them every happiness. 

FOREVER or AN EXISTENTIAL TAKE ON CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS 

I had never felt worse
than missing someone so close to my heart,
who had passed away,
without my even being there to hold a hand
or say things left unsaid
over years of sharing such bad times as may
have cast long shadows
but for our finding ways to reconcile with every one
each to its own, and in its turn 

There seemed no need
to put our feelings into words, content to let
our hearts speak for us;
yet, don’t actions speak louder than words
and didn’t we two
have the rest of our lives to prove just that?
Death, though, had a whim
to so impose itself on our conjoined personal space
as to have me spit in its face 

Anger, pain, expressions
of grief the heart knows but too well, the more
for such happy memories
as only love can invoke, and invoke, it will,
nurturing the same seeds
that saw it grow in us  re-engage in the process
of (still) taking their cue
from the kinder shades of nature and human nature
in some existential ‘Forever’ 

Where the Gates of Eternity open on love’s poetry,
none are refused entry for their sexuality 

Copyright R. N. Taber, 2021 

[Note: This post-poem appears on both poetry blogs today.]

 

 

 

Frontliners

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

All those in the front line of our war on Covid-19 deserve our thanks, respect and admiration. How they cope, day after day, defies belief. I have been retired for 10 years now, but like to think I would have played my part, although I suspect few of us know how we would react to certain circumstances until they are upon us and we are tested. If I ever had any doubts about that, they were confirmed when I realised I am gay at the age of fourteen; again, some years later, when I came out of my sad, lonely closet to face the world. Even so, as for so many of us - whatever our sexuality - it was but one of many battles that would see me in the front line in the passing of time; it is one reason I have never understood bigotry, since we are all but human after all.

My father and I did not get along. From childhood, he never believed I had a hearing problem. More  than once, he would send me to my room for ‘ignoring’ him when I genuinely hadn’t known he was talking to me. Needless to say, this did nothing to improve our relationship. “He’s weak!” I heard him shout at my mother once, “He’s weak, that’s his trouble. Always got his head stuck in a book, it’s high time he started acting like a boy instead of a bloody pansy.”

Later, I asked my mother, “Am I weak?” Her reply was typical of her grasp of human nature. “None of us really know our true strengths and weaknesses,” she said, “… until they and we are tested. Even then,” she sighed, “… it’s invariably left to others to judge and we alone ourselves to know. It’s called life,” she added with a rueful smile. “But just you go to sleep and put it out of your mind…” She turned off the lamp I had been reading by, and I could have sworn I heard her say, “…while you still can.”

I suspect we are tested at all stages in our lives although we may not realise it at the time. As we grow up and grow older, though, we do get to know ourselves, although how much is fact and how much is wishful thinking … that’s for us to take on board, reject or work through for ourselves, hopefully with more than a little help from loved-ones and friends.

Whatever our battles, we are the front line, win some, lose some…

FRONTLINERS 

War or peace,
whatever the cause in us demanding
we fight,
at the end of the day, it needs to be
for the better,
if only to keep us safe , drive any enemy
to rout 

Early years,
learning to talk, walks, laugh and play,
choose friends
come to recognize certain aspects
of behaviour…
as in where our empathising with it begins
and ends 

Schooldays,
inviting us to see how competition
demands
targets our strengths and weaknesses, requires
we stand up
for its rights and wrongs or go to ground, head
in hands 

Come, youth
to have its day, before such times ahead
as we know
will test us, even cut us down before any gain
or losses
can take us where we may (or not) have chosen
to go 

Middle years,
basking in sunny climes or sheltering
from storms
beyond anticipation for our underestimating
how maturity
may yet see us bested by any variety of tempting
life forms 

Old age,
a final reckoning of sorts, for the better
or worse
as we harvest all mind-body-spirit has incited us
to be, urging us
do whatever may yet see all or some of our parts rest
in peace

 “Advance, friend or foe,” finding out wherever we go,
ourselves to know 

Copyright R. N. Taber, 2021

[Note: This poem also appears on my general poetry blog today.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shadows OR Points or View, Shades of Meaning

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

Hi, World, 

Well, here we go again, 

Another day of waking up to the Covid-19 variant and safety regulations we are all meant to follow, but some don’t so many of us are fearful of going out and about locally even for such essential everyday items as food. 

Overcoming fear, in any context, is never easy. I feel physically sick sometimes once I close the front door behind me and step out into the street. At 75, I have been fortunate enough to have my first vaccination, but only a few days ago so it will take a little while yet to kick in. Whatever, no room for complacency I will need to follow lockdown safety regulations, probably for months. Oh, well, needs must… and we can all but do our bit to help ease the awful stress faced by every key worker, especially those in hospitals and care homes, but unsung heroes too like those who collect our waste and clean our streets. 

Meanwhile, there is an ignorant, selfish minority who persist in protesting about their human rights being undermined and/or that Covid-19 is some kind of conspiracy. We can only ignore them, and get on with our own lives as best (and safely) as we can. 

Me, I feel a greater empathy with Humpty Dumpty every day, falling apart, and surrounded by pieces I haven’t a clue how to start putting together again. Time will tell, I guess. 

In the meantime, there is another day to get through on my own here, so I had better get on and make breakfast … having been awake long enough now to get a tighter grip on things, start re-energising myself by looking on the bright(er) side of life, and anticipating a kinder springtime of mind-body-spirit… 

Readers continue to ask how I can talk about the latter, yet separate it from any religious faith. 

As I have said more than once on the blog, and will probably say again, there is more to any human being than meets the eye, including his or her sexuality; the human spirit is as much a part of us if not more so, frim birth to death and in remembrance; one reason why I find the refusal of world religions recognise this and welcome LGBT people, instead of condemning us, as nothing short of hypocritical. Sexuality is, after all, a human condition, not a lifestyle choice, and even if it were, whatever happened to freedom of choice? 

As for a sense of spirituality, I suspect it embraces each and every one of us in various ways, religion or no religion; how we choose to use it, well, that is only human.

SHADOWS or POINTS OF VIEW, SHADES OF MEANING 

Birds of the air,
engaging with a friendly tree,
no less so for its want
of welcome shelter from wintry
elements 

Human beings,
engaging with creative therapy
by way of sheltering
from a coronavirus making what
it will of u 

Grey squirrels,
chasing shadows where grass
awaits its season
and the earth makes what it will
of winter 

All humanity,
made to chase its own shadow
for home truths
surfacing where common need
prevailing 

Yet, still it turns,
this multicultural world of ours,
no less so for its want
of welcome shelter from wintry
elements 

Neither sun by day,
nor moon by night (quite) shining
light enough
on such rights and wrongs as prefer
shadows 

Shadows, playing
much the same parts across history
in bringing
such common elements of humanity
together 

Even so, no shadow
hanging over us can resist such shades
of life and love
as comprise the (far) better, kinder part
of mind-body-spirit 

Copyright R. N. Taber, 2021

[Note; This post-poem also appears on myggeneral poetry blog today.] RT

Another Open Letter to Readers

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

Dear Readers,

No poem today, I’m afraid, as I am very unwell. I am still coronavirus-free, though, so hope to be feeling better soon. Meanwhile, I have at least started work on a new poem. 

Creative therapy of any kind is a welcome distraction these days, or course, but it also helps keep my thought processes well-oiled given that 10 years of hormone therapy for my prostate cancer continues to put a spanner in those particular works.😉

Meanwhile, thank goodness vaccines are on the way!

As well as an appointment at the Ear Hospital this week, I also need a PSA test prior to a telephone appointment with my prostate cancer consultant next week. AS I have said before, travelling on public transport, especially the Underground, is more than a little scary now as there are always a few people who do not wear their masks to cover both nose and mouth. Oh well, I can but place myself in the hands of Fate; it cannot do a worse job than certain politicians.

Sometimes, I wake up in the morning and dread having to get up and see my way through another days of the Covid-19 variant which is spreading rapidly across the UK. While I fully support a new lockdown, I am not the only one who thinks it should have come sooner.

To those among us who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus, I can but remind them that love never dies, it stays in the heart forever and will continue to support mind-body-spirit, whatever... No, it's not the same, but something from which I have always taken much comfort over the years... and, yes, I can still hear loved ones whispering in my ear from time to time, and encouraging me to perk up and stay positive, especially when I am feeling poorly... and/or in low spirits.😉

Be kind to one another,

Back soon, hopefully,

Hugs,

Roger

PS Some of you may enjoy accessing the blog archives, found on the right hand side of any blog page.

Life Forces, Life Choices OR Home Truths, Darkness and Light

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

Sleep can bring rest and peace, but it can also create a disturbingly mixed bag of thoughts and possibilities that happen to be preying on mind-body-spirit at any given time. 

With any luck, the first light of dawn will bring to bring an awakening to reality, truth or whatever it is we recognise as being the ultimate source of the disturbance…or not, as the case may be. 

Such is the vulnerability of human nature that we don’t always recognise and/ or accept what goes on behind such closed minds as bearing little if any resemblance to our own … until sleep sets certain underlying life forces upon us that dwell in the subconscious, demanding we see and make choices… for better or worse. 

There were times as a child when I’d need the light on to fall asleep because I was afraid of the dark, not least for its offering no comfort and reassurance the way light does. Many adults as well as children are feeling much the same way now, especially in an everchanging situation and the failure of some governments - including here in England - to recognise the effects of changing its mind at short notice regarding what steps are best taken to control the spread of the coronavirus variant on ordinary people as well as businesses. 

Yes, vaccines are on the way and there is light at the end of the tunnel, but it is a very long tunnel and we need more light now. Government may be’ led by the science’ but it would help us all to have some light shed on just what that science is, and who is advising whom on what… 

LIFE FORCES, LIFE CHOICES or HOME TRUTHS, DARKNESS AND LIGHT

Patches of blue
starting to spread across gloomy skies,
signs of sunlight
struggling to break through,
make a difference
to poor humanity, battling against
a coronavirus
threating to defeat even the most positive
among its thinkers 

Apollo, never one
to surrender to the Forces of Darkness,
better known
for retreating awhile to let the stars
buy us time
to bring all the Powers of Light
into play,
among them, life forces able to bring humanity
to its senses 

Come, light of day,
despatching nightmares into such free fall
as Fear knows
only too well, Hope getting a grip,
inciting Courage
to call its bluff, see off such bullies
as Jealousy, Bigotry,
Hate and Hypocrisy, make them drink of the milk
of human kindness 

See Apollo re-emerge,
in time to call the bullies’ bluff for giving
mind-body-spirit
time enough to reflect on various
alternatives - to
(far) better means to whatever it seeks
than being left
having to justify any solution for as good an answer
as any, right or wrong 

Copyright R. N. Taber, 2021

 

 

High Hopes OR Personal Space (All Rights Reserved)

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

A new year dawns, and the world gives a huge sigh of relief just to see an end in sight after what has been a 2020 that will never be forgotten by any of us fortunate enough to count ourselves among its survivors. Yet, at what cost?  The physical, mental and economic strain experienced by everyone, in whatever shape or form is likely to make itself felt for years to come. Nor are we out of harm’s way yet, of course, regarding the coronavirus itself. Even so, there is a light enough at the end of the tunnel; we can but follow it, and trust we will survive long enough to see it set us free to move on… the awful events of 2020 notwithstanding. 

“The moving finger writes; and, having writ, moves on: nor all thy piety nor wit shall lure it back to cancel half a line, nor all thy tears wash out a word of it.” - Omar Khayyam 

Here’s wishing everyone a Happier New Year, not least for Covid-19 being all but consigned to history and vaccinations on the way… 

Hugs, 

Roger 

HIGH HOPES or PERSONAL SPACE (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

 New year, new start
for those of us who have survived
a coronavirus
attacking the world on all sides
with a vengeance
throughout 2020, and continuing
to cause pain and grief,
only emergency shots in the arm helping
to keep higher hopes alive 

We can but struggle on
in a seemingly alien environment
with access to family
and friends, even neighbours,
limited as never before,
while many among the elderly
and those living alone
waiting on phone calls to help compensate
for a lack of computer skills 

Humanity, likely to escape
annihilation by the skin of its teeth
although, for how long
any lessons learned yet to be seen,
as human nature
resumes a sense of normality;
daggers (still) drawn
without or within this society, that community,
injurious fingers moving on 

Though humanity tell and retell its history as it may,
it’s (each) human heart will have the final say…

Copyright R. N. Taber
[January 1^st 2021]

[Note: This post-poem also appears on my general poetry blog today.] RT