A Sense of Spirituality

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

Human beings are inclined to divide rather than unite, but isn’t love a common bond, and one we would do well to acknowledge rather than be persuaded to pursue the politics of division by various socio-cultural-religious forces that so like to dominate for domination’s sake…?

Love does not discriminate; it is as much an integral part of the human spirit whether those  engaging with it are gay, straight, transgender or bisexual; nor does religion have a monopoly on spirituality as I discovered upon turning to nature where religion failed me altogether.

A SENSE OF SPIRITUALITY

Down by the river,

where kingfishers fly,

I lay with my lover

one joyful summer’s day,

passing clouds

parting for kisses

from fair Apollo,

as if reaffirming our faith

in peace, love,

and a native integrity,

nor necessarily less so

for being gay

Down by the river,

where music fills the air,

I kissed my gay lover

under eaves of a willow tree,

its leaves shimmering

like stained glass windows

as if Earth Mother

restoring Apollo’s church

to the likes of us

to worship at the altar

of passion and rediscover

its spirituality

Down by the river

summer flowers fill the air

with perfumes

conspiring to fill our church

with all the colours,

smells, sounds of love

and a peace of mind

that Earth Mother would have

a common humanity

bring to bear on each other

whatever our ethnicity, creed

sex or sexuality

Copyright R. N. Taber 2015 

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

Now, Voyager or G-A-Y, Quantum Leap

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

Bad times are inclined to haunt us, but that’s not always such a bad thing if it makes us concentrate on and be thankful for the good times, inspires or even goads us to beat any unfriendly ghosts of the past at their own game if only by taking that quantum leap most likely to give us a chance to shape up for a better, kinder future…

'The untold want by life and land ne'er granted,
Now, voyager, sail thou forth, to seek and find.' (Walt Whitman)

NOW, VOYAGER or G-A-Y, QUANTUM LEAP 

The night I walked was cold
and dark, seemingly without end,
no star in the sky
to guide me on my weary way
nor Man in the Moon
pretending to watch over me,
be a friend

The road I walked was cold
and dark, seemingly without end,
my lonely world,
a sorry place, heavy heart
an everyday load
for no one to watch over me,
be a friend

I fell to my knees and cried,
bitter tears, seemingly without end,
and after a while
the night grew less cold and dark
as a sick, pale, moon
appeared, seemed badly in need
of a friend

One by one, fading stars came
to assure me a new day was near,
and sure enough
dawn blinked at the end of my tunnel,
urging me on to its end,
daring to believe I’d find in Apollo
a true friend

The world I walked was cold
and dark, no comfort in night or day
as I all but gave up
on it, scared of its discovering I’m gay,
till woken by his breath
on my face to all the light and heat
of love on Earth


Copyright R. N. Taber 2013

In Love and War

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

World War 1 was meant to be the war to end all wars. Yet, World War 2 came along and there have been wars since; so many deaths, so many injuries and so many lives devastated.

Even as I write, brave men and women, gay and straight alike, are fighting, dying, and sustaining terrible injuries across the world.  

Is it not strange that, even in the 21^st century, we rarely hear how gay men and women, too, make sacrifices for a kinder, better world?  Not surprising, really, I suppose. Let’s face it. Home Fronts can be a battlefield for us as well…

When will humankind ever learn, eh? When will we ever learn...?

IN LOVE AND WAR

As we homed in to hug goodbye,

you moved your head,

your lips brushing against mine

an instant too long

for it to have been just a mistake;

I told myself it was imagination,

conjuring up images

I tried to put aside for its wanting

its wicked way with us,

having us on, playing a silly trick

You went to war in foreign fields

and all I could do

was wish you safe and well

while in a cold sweat

over thoughts of your coming back;

just when I thought it safe to dream

they’d spring an ambush,

shoot me down, leave me exposed,

(no uncommon enemy trait)

for vultures to spot, swoop and pick

You would always find me, comfort

me in my distress

where I’d peer behind death’s door;

one kiss, more than enough

to open my eyes, surprise me awake;

a day came when I slept in late

after hours of fighting off my fears,

waking up to tears on my cheek

I had thought was blood (yours?)

the enemies of love resolved to take

You were sat on the edge of my bed,

grinning from ear to ear;

I flung my arms around your neck,

nor was it any a mistake

as you kissed me, I kissed you back;

our lovemaking told its own story,

(no happy ending assured)

and we, though our hearts near break,

sure to shine its light - where all

closet lovers go in fear of the dark

Copyright R. N. Taber 2009

Extracts from a (gay) Sailor's Log

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

I have known a few sailors in my time and have always had a strong affinity with the sea, in all its moods.

A gay sailor once told me, ‘If the sea is my mistress, my sexuality is my master. The two get on well together so who am I or anyone else to argue with that?’

Who, indeed?

EXTRACTS FROM A (GAY) SAILOR’S LOG 

Like a ship in stormy weather,

engaging with festy waves, 

we’d steer safely into harbour

We’d ride life’s roller coaster,

trusting in its kinder ways,

like a ship in stormy weather

Fighting dark threats together

(would God hear our prayers?)

we’d steer safely into harbour

Lies tossing us about in anger,

we answered but to the stars

like a ship in stormy weather

In time’s tides finding favour,

(two men, daring to be lovers)

we’d steer safely into harbour

Our love tested us like no other

on a sea of laughter and tears,

like a ship in stormy weather,

we’d steer safely into harbour 

Copyright R. N. Taber 2009