Loudmouth

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

This poem was originally written in in the 1990’s and first published on the blog in 2009, about the time I started writing it up.

At the time, I had only days earlier, been sitting behind two people on a crowded bus engaged in a conversation on the subject of contemporary society; one as loudly aggressive in his manner as the other was quietly defensive, the former receiving murmurs of agreement from other passengers.

A cleric sitting in front of me, directly behind the pair in question, kept nodding his head sagely, although it was unclear at whom or at what part of the conversation he was nodding.

While debating with myself as to whether or not I should make a positive contribution to what was, after all, meant to be a private conversation, I was pipped to the post by a guy who said (very loudly) as he left the bus, “I’m not especially proud of being gay or HIV, but I’m damned if I’ll be made to feel ashamed of it by other people’s sick ignorance.” I am pleased to say that several people clapped him (very) loudly among whom, of course, I was one.

During the time that passed before my alighting a few stops further on, no one spoke.

Some twenty years later, people keep telling me that attitudes towards gay people and those with HIV-AIDS have changed for the better and how there is even legislation (in some countries) to back it up. Have I not heard of Political Correctness, and Human Rights? So ... why don't people like me just shut up and count our blessings?

Why, indeed ...?

LOUDMOUTH

I tell you, homosexuality
is no less a blasphemy in this
twenty-first century…

Why on earth should we
accept, let alone tolerate those
committing sodomy?

As for lesbians, how dare
they argue that in love and sex,
all is fair?

It’s a poor example we set
when society lets gay people
have a say in it...

How can we ever justify
letting everyone stake a claim
for equality?

What more dreadful legacy
to bequeath future generations
than HIV?

Religion, culture, morality,
better these heed a rich rhetoric
than poor humanity

What’s that I hear you say?
Better we try and save the planet
than rail against being gay?

You may have a point, I guess;
maybe we should make love more,
and war less…?

Copyright R. N. Taber 2009; 2016

Taking Sides

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

In 2010, Serbian riot police fought running battles with hundreds of Far Right supporters who tried to disrupt a Gay Pride march in central Belgrade 

It would be four years before another Gay Pride march took place there, on which occasion water cannon, armoured vehicles and riot police blocked traffic on the route because of threats of attacks from extreme right wingers.  

In 2017, Ana Brnabic became the first woman to head the Serbian cabinet, she was also the first LGBT politician to hold such high office in the Balkans. She marched in the 2017 Pride parade in Belgrade, but progress remains poor; LGBT rights have not improved, new laws are still far from being adopted and there has been no fall in the number of attacks on gay people. 

Last year, saw thousands take part in Belgrade’s eighth Pride Parade; the walk passed the main government institutions, to which protesters have been addressing their demands for improved LGBT rights. Same-sex couples still cannot legally adopt. In early 2019, the Serbian Ministry of Health imposed a ban on those with a "history of homosexual relations during the last five years" from donating reproductive cells for artificial insemination or in vitro fertilisation. 

As I have said before, it is high time humankind began respecting other people’s differences instead of fighting over them; our differences do not make us different, only human. 

The world belongs to no one and everyone; it is up to us all to make of it what we will, despite any opposing life forces grounded in expressions of socio-cultural-religious dogma written on tablets of stone while it was still young, a diverse humankind still feeling its way through the subsequent maze of human nature. 

As I have also said many times and will go on saying…love doesn’t take sides, and neither should we.  Leave love and lovers alone…to enjoy what has to be the most wonderful feeling in the world. 

Q: What kind of bully tries to impose his or her prejudices on others?

A: The worst kind. 

TAKING SIDES

Love will embrace us, straight

or gay, and is always on our side;

no matter what some may do

or say, let live, and let love always

be our guide

It's not love would keep us apart

(love is always on our side)

but teachings (still) demanding

the heart go straight, reject LGBT

for a guide

Trust love to subdue winds of hate

(love is always on our side)

where cultural prejudices prevail,

hell bent on refusing Human Rights

for a guide

It isn’t love that would keep us all

from accessing a spiritual plane,

only those on Society's gravy train

fearful that we choose any free spirit

for a guide

Take heart, LGBT folks worldwide,

where time slow to take our side;

trust Truth to blow the bigots’ cover,

for its heartbeat having  Human Rights

for a guide

Copyright R. N. Taber 2010; 2016

[Note: An earlier version of this poem appears in On the Battlefields of Love by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2010.]

You-Me-Us, Living the Dream

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

A reader once emailed, ‘I enjoy many of the poems on your blogs but there are too many to browse easily, and too many about love.’  

Well, I ask you, can anyone post too many poems about love? 

Now, if the world so loves a lover, as songs and poems have celebrated for centuries, on whose say-so are the same world’s gay or any other lovers to be judged...by anyone?

‘Judge not, that ye be not judged…’ - Matthew 7:1 [Those Christians (and others) who are quick to judge gay people, please note.]

So why am I, a non-religious person, quoting The Holy Bible?  Well, why not?  After all, this isn’t just religious sentiment but plain common sense, and as plain an expression of humanity as found anywhere…

Gay or straight, love is love ...and don't (ever) let anyone tell you differently.

Now, where nature is inspirational, it is as like to inspire thoughts of love and loved ones - living and passed away - as anything else, for nature, among its many virtues, has the power to tap into memory and remembrance as well as wishful thinking...should we but choose to let it., and live the dream.

It is a human tragedy that many LGBT folks around the world dare not live the dream for various socio-cultural-religious restraints placed upon them, especially during their formative years. There are ways of creating a dream-life, though, that - for all its imperfections - many of us would agree offers a better alternative than none at all; it is called a closet.

YOU-ME-US, LIVING THE DREAM

An autumn breeze in the hair;

fishes, swimming a leafy stream;

birds, eagerly making music

like something out of a dream

Suddenly, change stalks the air,

storm clouds forming to coincide
with gay lovers making light

of human nature’s harsher side

Last patch of blue turning black,
low-hanging cloud pouring dismay
on all a dark world's dreamers
be they young, old, straight. gay

Rejoice as the storm clouds pass,

fishes yet frustrate human schemes,

love’s light shining on all those

daring to share its sweeter dreams

Now, a light spring rain in the hair,

same fishes swimming in the stream,
songbirds (as ever) making music

for all of us who dare live the dream

Copyright R N. Taber 2016; 2020

[Note: this post has appeared on the blog previously some time ago, but was inadvertently deleted.]

Footprints in the Snow

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

Today's entry is from my general poetry blog archives for December 2011.

‘Karin and Tomas’ have asked me to repeat 'my video links'. They do not say which one/s so here is the link to my You Tube channel and the link to my (very informal) poetry reading on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square as my contribution to Antony Gormley's One and Other 'live sculpture' project  in 2009. [The You Tube clips are only a few minutes, but the One and Other video lasts an hour.] I hope you will enjoy them, and will be able to watch in an Internet cafe since you appear not to have a home computer

http://www.youtube.com/rogerNtaber

http://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20100223121732/oneandother.co.uk/participants/Roger_T  [NB: Sept 19, 2019 - The British Library confirmed today that he video is no longer available as it was incompatible with a new IT system, However, it still exists and BL hope to reinstate it and make it available to the public again at some future date.] RNT

Meanwhile...

Many gay-friendly heterosexuals I know seem to think I am exaggerating when I tell them that gay men and women worldwide still feel threatened; even here in the West. Perhaps they should take more of an interest in their fellow human beings. Mind you, that isn’t easy when the media all but ignore gay issues except when occasions like World AIDS Day demand they pay some token attention.

I recently received an email from the U.S. based All Out organisation regarding recent anti-gay activities in Russia and Nigeria, but there will be gay people from all countries and of all religious persuasions that will have little to celebrate this Christmas or during any of the world’s religious festivals.

Last week, pressure on the Russian government prevented a vote on its anti-gay bill from taking place. All Out members around the world amplified the voice of Russian activists, forcing world leaders to speak out against this law that justifies hate and discrimination. Russia’s gay men and women remain hopeful, but the fight is far from over; the bill may still come back.

Unfortunately there's no time to celebrate. The Nigerian Senate has just followed Russia's bad example, passing a bill this week which would make it illegal to publicly support LGBT rights. Simply showing up to a gay bar could land you in jail for 14 years, regardless of your sexuality.

www.allout.org/nigeria

Nigeria is already an incredibly dangerous place for LGBT people, and this latest piece of legislation will only further push the Nigerian LGBT community deep underground.

Here’s a BIG HUG from me for gay people world-wide unable to openly stand up for their sexuality for whatever reason.

Now, Christmas is looming fast. As regular readers will know only too well, I do not subscribe to any religion, but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect anyone, anywhere, whose religion plays a very important part in their lives. Besides, all religious festivals are times when people, especially families and friends, come together in peace and love. Well, that is how it is supposed to be although it has been my personal experience that peace and love are sometimes in short supply; celebration is by its very nature infectious, and there's nothing wrong with that so long as people remember to live by whatever it is they are celebrating long after the festivities are done and dusted.

And what of those who spend Christmas alone? Well, I personally can honestly say I have spent many a wonderful Christmas alone; yet, never really alone because I am surrounded by the ghosts of Christmases and other ‘together’ times past who never fail to invite me to spend a happy, peaceful if reflective time with them. Moreover, I consider myself a son of Earth Mother, and she is never far away.

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW

I woke one morning to find
snow in the ground;
where my garden used to be,
a vast, white sea,
waves whipped up by the wind
like a frozen Tsunami threatening an island
of woebegone leaves

Footprints across this icy sea
beckoned me;
soon I was following them out
of the garden gate,
where once chirpy fields were,
to winter’s unfeeling whims now laid bare,
trees, like icebergs

The footprints halted suddenly
where daises used to be
you’d made into a chain for me,
each flower a memory,
and we’d promised that spring day
our love would last forever, always find a way
to bring us together

Distant bells ringing joyously,
a snowman smiling at me,
fair Apollo’s coming out to smile
on lovers going that last mile
for one another even in bleakest winter,
all confirming the daisies are with Earth Mother
for safekeeping

Copyright R. N. Taber 2011

Warning: Danger Zone OR Gay in Abuja

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

Nigeria does not allow or recognise LGBT rights. There is no legal protection against discrimination in Nigeria. Very few gay or transgender people dare be open about their orientation, and violence against them is frequent.

Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Nigeria. The maximum punishment in the twelve northern states that have adopted Shari'a law is death by stoning. In southern Nigeria and under the secular criminal laws of northern Nigeria, the maximum punishment for same-sex sexual activity is 14 years' imprisonment. 

Abuja - Photo from the Internet

An email from a gay reader who lives in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, prompted this villanelle.

WARNING: DANGER ZONE or GAY IN ABUJA

G-A-Y, where few dare tread
(fewer still must guess)
neighbours would see us dead

On stereotypes, too many fed
who begrudge us happiness;
G-A-Y, where few dare tread

I’ve, oh, so often heard it said,
best rid the world of queers;
neighbours would see us dead 

We have listened, argued, bled,
(members of the human race);
G-A-Y, where few dare tread

Why the disgust, horror, dread?
(a sexual identity in all of us)
neighbours would see us dead

No God would see us hounded
(in whose name hound us?)
G-A-Y, where few dare tread;
neighbours would see us dead

Copyright R. N. Taber 2016

A Horseman Riding By

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

The original version of today’s poem was written in 1974 and appeared in my second collection. I have recently revised and extended it almost beyond recognition, which can happen sometimes when looking back over nearly forty years.

I neither regret my original poems not revising any of them later; just as a poet moves on, so can a poem. [I have no plans to die just yet, but when I do, I dare say my poetry blogs will eventually disappear from the Internet. I therefore intend to leave a permanent record of any revisions I have made to my poems in the form of e-books that I hope to publish in the not too distant future.]

Since early childhood, I have been fascinated by cloud shapes...

A HORSEMAN RIDING BY 

Out of the corner of an eye,

we saw a horseman passing by,

casting long shadows,

pricking the nerves, fair cutting

a dash in a cocked hat

Bold mare, playing her part;

humanity whipping sweat flanks 

to the finishing line;

free rein but to prove themselves,
and (maybe) win hearts 

Clouds passing, birds on wing

bringing us love songs, tall tales
and romantic poems;

a journey through time and space

to heaven knows where 

All secrets, lies, stereotypes

blown away on a kinder wind

than chases us, shouts
abuse every day, we gay lovers 
street cred found wanting 

Horseman in the sky, offering 

mind-body-spirit a free ride

into a dream where differences

co-exist peacefully, and no moral

high ground to put us down

Copyright R. N. Taber 2002; 2013 

[Note: An earlier version of this poem can be found in First Person Plural by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2002.]

G-A-Y, Harvesting Centuries

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

I once discovered that it is not beyond the realms of possibility to fancy a friend you are convinced is a hot-blooded heterosexual only to discover the attraction is mutual. Perhaps they are bisexual or in denial about being gay, but when push comes to shove, does it really matter? The old adage is so true; gather ye rosebuds while ye may. There will be time enough to consider any long-term implications after having made the most of what’s on offer in the shorter term.

Now, the person with whom you are at the very least infatuated may not prove to be the love of your life, but there’s another saying that springs to mind; when opportunity knocks, be sure to let it in.

This poem has not appeared on the blog since August 2009 and is repeated today especially for ‘Henry and Malcolm’ who celebrate the 10th anniversary of their first meeting today. They don’t say why they chose this particular poem, but I can’t help wondering...

G-A-Y, HARVESTING CENTURIES

You were asleep when I got home;
I stripped in a pool of moonlight
spilling through a chink in blinds
carelessly drawn,
sat on the bed and watched you,
not sure what to do, lightly
stroking your pillow, hair lively
shades of brown

Guessed you’d hate me for being
here like this, lips longing
to kiss yours, moist and red,
like a dawn rose,
forced my eyes to the twin bed
inches away, empty, as quiet
as a waiting coffin, expecting
me to crawl in

You opened one eye, then two.
I froze. Your hand seized
my forefinger and its fierce heat
burned my toes;
not a sound to be heard as you
sat up straight, looked
right through me, wide-eyed,
disbelieving

Your free hand pinched my left
nipple, as if to remind us
it was no dream and my eyes
began to scream...
“Sorry!” Instantly, your mouth
and tongue ripped into me
without apology, finally setting
us free

We made love without a word
(there was no need);
on time wasted, we hungrily,
exhaustedly fed…
until such dreams worked a spell
on the two of us
as gay lovers have dared share
for centuries

Copyright R. N. Taber 2004; 2017

[Note: This poem first appears under the title 'Food for Thought' in The Third Eye by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2004.]

Children of the Willow

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

Update (October 2013): I have added poem and video to my You Tube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIovJI_lQGc

[If the link does not work, go to my channel and search under title at:

http://www.youtube.com/rogerNtaber

For those readers who cannot access You Tube for one reason or another, see below. (I read the poem over the video.)

Another young reader who tells me he (or she?) attends a Faith school (I don't know of which persuasion) has asked me how I can be sure that same sex relationships are not a mortal sin. All I can say is that my instincts tell me so. I have to trust my instincts (don’t we all?) or I’d almost certainly revert to the psychological and emotional mess I was as a teenager many years ago when same sex relationships were a criminal offence here in the UK. [I am 65 now, having survived more 'slings and arrows of outrageous fortune' than I care to dwell upon.]

Each and every one of us must make our own choices, trust our deeper instincts and make our own way in life. It can be a lonely journey sometimes.

While the support of family and friends cannot be underestimated, it isn’t always there and then the going gets really rough. It may be small comfort to my young reader but reassuring perhaps to say that tens of thousands of gay (and straight) people world-wide are frequently daunted by the maze we call life. Few of us find the centre. The trick is to have as much fun as possible while looking.

Regular readers will know that, while I respect anyone’s Faith, I have no faith in religion. It is my choice and I am convinced it would have been even if I were not gay. Non-belief deserves respect too, doesn’t it? No less so, sexuality. These are, after all, expressions of a person’s individual identity. As I have said on previous posts, we are not, thank goodness, a race of clones...yet.

Until there is open, intelligent, unbiased discussion of LGBT issues in schools, many young gay people will continue to anguish over their awakening sexuality. It is high time  Head Teachers (not only in the UK but world-wide) saw to it that ' education' lived up to its name; it is not all about preparing for examinations. Human Rights must have a place on the curriculum, surely?


CHILDREN OF THE WILLOW

I can hear a songbird calling me
far, far away,
in the bosom of a willow tree
where we used to play;
the songbird, it reminds me
how far, far away,
we children of the willow tree
grew up scared and gay;
the songbird, it’s assuring me
though far, far away,
my love waits by the willow tree
where long ago we lay

The willow tree, it’s calling me
far, far away,
the shackles of world bigotry
all but cast away;
the willow tree, it reminds me
of all we (finally) dared say
to enlighten friends and family
about love, pure and gay;
the willow tree, it’s assuring me
we shall win the day
where songbirds sing of liberty
for lovers scared and gay

A world, the poorer for its bigotry,
is ignorant of nature’s way;
on a learning curve, every society
whose lovers straight or gay,
for somewhere there’s a willow tree
far, far, away,
w here a songbird is singing sweetly
for lovers scared and gay;
may they, like us, find sanctuary
and the words to say,
such is nature’s take on spirituality
it is no sin to be gay

Copyright R. N. Taber 2011

Pioneers Of (Gay) Pride

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

Over the years many gay people have led by shining example and the result is a better deal in society for gay men and women in some parts of the world. In parts of the UK they may be labelled ‘activists’ (Kent and Cornwall, for example) and yes, they were, but not in the way the term is used these days. Gay activists had more integrity then and were prepared to put themselves in the firing line for their beliefs and for the sake of others; they didn’t court the media by way of pandering to huge egos. [I could name names but won’t. I’m sure you know the type.]

Here in the West, we should never forget those who publicly sowed the seeds of Gay Rights (Stonewall) and acceptance of gay people by society for ourselves, not some token tolerance of homosexuality. We owe them much. In the days, for example, when a Pride march really meant something instead of being hijacked by Trade Unions keen to be seen jumping on the Equal Opportunities bandwagon and certain publicity-seeking people who care more about their own self image than much else, not to mention all those straight people who see it as a fun if not trendy day out. Nor should we pay too much attention to some of those whom the media has chosen and crowned as its gay heroes.

For some people, participating in Pride is still a brave first step in acknowledging their sexuality and demonstrating how sexuality in no way undermines our integrity as human beings. Sadly, it strikes me that they are in a minority these days. In this sense, it seems to me that Pride has lost its way here in the West. That is why I don’t participate in Pride Day here in London. [The last time I did, it was so awful I left early.] I know a lot of gay people who feel the same away although I dare say many reading this will find their hackles going through the roof.

Could it be that too many gay people in the West have become complacent about the gay ethic and are inclined to overlook that, even in the West, many people continue to feel that coming out will stigmatise them?

Time and time again, I have spoken to gay people who despise those who remain in the closet (even more than bigots despise us). Closets have their reasons and we should respect those reasons. Yes, we can encourage them to come out and offer support but it is wrong if not immoral, especially for other gay people, to make a closet gay person feel less of a human being for that.

In some parts of the world, as in Serbia only recently, a Pride march still sends out a very serious message to the less enlightened among the heterosexual majority; those who take part are to be applauded for having have the courage of their convictions.

Yes, Pride it is a way of celebrating our sexuality, whatever our race, culture or religion and wherever in the world we live; some Pride events here in the UK do this very well. At the same time, should we not take care that we don't score an own goal by promoting the very stereotypes we are there to protest against ...?

PIONEERS OF (GAY) PRIDE

Ghost faces in a cloud,
footprints in the clay;
voices shouting aloud,
‘I am gay!’

No keeping out of sight
as some might prefer
or (ever) keeping quiet
anywhere

Peoples of the world
and their cultures
descend on the gay word
like vultures...

Pick our bones, they may,
but cannot deny
footprints in the same clay,
faces in the same sky

If progress means maturity,
time meant to heal,
let this twenty-first century
get real

Where ignorance prevails,
still much to do,
dispelling Old Wives’ tales,
stereotypes too

Lose heart though we may,
take strength and pride
from footprints in the clay,
faces in a cloud


[From: On the Battlefields of Love by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2010]