From Graham – a close friend to Roger
Today marks a year since Roger passed away. It seems almost
surreal how quickly this anniversary has arrived. A mutual friend, Richard,
suggested we celebrate his memory at a friendly bar; recounting those joyous,
life-affirming times when Roger lit up the room with his sparkling insight, his
bawdy humour, or his fiery polemic. But I opted to explore remembrance through
contemplation and sharing a few thoughts. Reflecting upon someone who remains close
to the heart is a personal journey with many pathways...
Rog often commented on global events, particularly
conflict and oppression. His poems frequently speak of a ‘common humanity’ transcending
the gulf of socio-cultural-religious division. They aspire to those sublime qualities
of being human; compassion, empathy and agape. A universal-spiritual connection
too often lost in clamour of partisan media, sacrificed by religious fundamentalism,
or obscured by sectarian hate. Yet this interconnection endures in anyone who
dares question the dogma of division. It’s not through naive idealism that
Roger wrote of peace and common humanity. But rather, to inspire hope in
himself and others.
I know Roger would have been saddened by the recent anti-LGBT+
bill passed in Ghana. He was an outspoken advocate for equality in all
societies. In his eulogy, I commented:
‘…beyond friends
gathered here, Roger touched untold lives through his poetry. It was telling
that his gay-interest blog was widely read in countries where the freedom to
choose who we love can mean imprisonment. His poetry kindled hope in the
world’s unenlightened places.’
Over the years we chatted extensively about my sabbatical in
Ghana, back in 2006. At the time, I remember optimism among my gay brothers and
sisters for attaining equal rights. There was hope that the egalitarian
republic envisioned by Kwame Nkrumah would finally be realised for all
citizens. But forward to 2022 and New Patriotic Party lawmakers are consulting
with pastors, priests and imams to decide policy (?!). UN condemnation aside,
it sets a dangerous precedent, and one where parliamentarians appear hellbent
on a downward spiral into theocracy.
I wonder how Roger might have commented about this on his
blog? Speculatively, I’d say he might draw comparisons with his own experience
of anti-LGBT laws here in the UK. An era when he lived in constant fear of persecution,
blackmail and violence. Recounting, perhaps, his clandestine intimacies before the law’s repeal in
1967. He once described society back then as an ‘ogre’. He might have also cited
the life of mathematical visionary and national hero, Alan Turing. A man driven
to suicide following prosecution and public exposure for a same-sex encounter. I
think he’d question how such laws serve any national interest - or greater good?
Our sense of nationhood is often forged in the crucible of resisting
oppression. Whether it’s overcoming colonial rule, women’s suffrage or the
struggle for gay equality. Liberty itself flows from faith in a common
humanity. Solidarity, over the politics of division and demonisation.
‘The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than
the superimposed influences that keep us apart.’ Kwame Nkrumah
* * *
FREEDOM, BEACON OF HOPE IN A DARKENING WORLD
In some parts of
the world,
all paths to Freedom are (still) blocked
by power-hungry rulers
living in the lap of luxury where others
go hungry, and can but dream
of running fresh, clean, water from a tap
that’s close to hand
In some parts of
the world,
all paths to Freedom are (still) haunted
by fighters who lost battles,
but inspired others to continue the war
against the sickest corruption
in the highest places, best feet forward
to global markets
In some parts of
the world,
all paths to Freedom (still) ringing out
loud and clear with howls
of protest punctuated with the shrapnel,
gunfire, and tear gas
that, oh, so often accompanies integrity
even in a 21st century
In some parts of
the world,
all paths to Freedom are (still) littered
with human bones,
occasionally with name tags attached,
others are identified only
by such natural categories as ethnicity
and, yes, sexuality
In some part of the
world,
all paths to Freedom are (still) haunted
by voices of the dead,
inspiring men, women, and children
to take greater pride
than many so-called ‘betters’ in rallying
round a flag with pride
In some parts of
the world,
heterosexuality is promoted true enough
to hot-blooded stereotype,
some falling for the honeyed-up hype
of tongues, sly and zealous,
while others continue to call for a culture
of Freedom for all of us
Copyright R. N.
Taber 2014; 2020
