http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber
This entry is taken from my general poetry blog archives for December 1916; like many if not most of my poems, the sentiments expressed apply to all readers everywhere...[I am gay, yes, but - as I often reaffirm in posts and poems - there is a LOT more to any of us than our sexuality, however we define it.]
For years now I have written a general and gay-interest Poem for Christmas and sent it to everyone on my contact list instead of a Christmas card, not least because (as other poems on the blog may well illustrate) I am not a particularly Christmassy person. I empathise with the spirit of Christmas, though, if not with the religion and it is my pleasure to share this with you.
Incidentally, some of you may be interested to know that I am giving a sponsored poetry reading for Prostate Cancer UK on World Poetry Day, May 21, 2017. I will not only be celebrating having seen my poetry in print for 60 years (my first poem appeared in my school magazine, 1957) but also living with prostate cancer since the spring of 2011.
As I am not a religious person, Christmas means nothing to me in that sense. While I can appreciate and respect the fact that religious festivals are important to those who wish to celebrate their religion, it often seems to me (being gay) that any messages of love, peace and goodwill to everyone are little more than empty words.
Religions are only closed shops, though, if their followers choose to make them so; many if not most (but not all, thank goodness) have closed hearts, open only to those who follow its dogma to the letter. (Heaven forbid, anyone should ‘deviate’ even in the name of humanity). Any inhumanity is easily put aside for a Heaven that’s any sheep’s reward for not having the temerity to stray from the dogmatic fold as preached by ‘betters’ who would appear to have His (or Her?) ear.
Some readers may think my Christmas poems disrespectful, but I can assure you that it is not towards religion that I am so minded but towards those who - in my experience - pay little more than lip service to the major lessons (any) religion professes to preach; e.g. peace, love, equality, respect and fairness amongst a common humanity…
Thank you for reading my blog/s, hope you have found plenty to enjoy, and here’s wishing you all a VERY Happy Christmas.
CHRISTMAS, CUE FOR AN OPEN HEART
A pet is not just
for Christmas
nor should December
have a monopoly
on spreading peace
and goodwill
Love is not just
for Christmas
nor should celebrating
any religion
mean shutting one
up or out
Caring is not just
for Christmas
nor can token gestures
of goodies
repay neglecting
the real thing
Mind, body, spirit,
have no need
of fairy lights on trees,
decorations,
or even and being seen
going to prayers
Let’s celebrate
the heart
that’s open all seasons
and all hours,
no one turned away,
no excuses
Copyright R. N. Taber 2016
This entry is taken from my general poetry blog archives for December 1916; like many if not most of my poems, the sentiments expressed apply to all readers everywhere...[I am gay, yes, but - as I often reaffirm in posts and poems - there is a LOT more to any of us than our sexuality, however we define it.]
For years now I have written a general and gay-interest Poem for Christmas and sent it to everyone on my contact list instead of a Christmas card, not least because (as other poems on the blog may well illustrate) I am not a particularly Christmassy person. I empathise with the spirit of Christmas, though, if not with the religion and it is my pleasure to share this with you.
Incidentally, some of you may be interested to know that I am giving a sponsored poetry reading for Prostate Cancer UK on World Poetry Day, May 21, 2017. I will not only be celebrating having seen my poetry in print for 60 years (my first poem appeared in my school magazine, 1957) but also living with prostate cancer since the spring of 2011.
As I am not a religious person, Christmas means nothing to me in that sense. While I can appreciate and respect the fact that religious festivals are important to those who wish to celebrate their religion, it often seems to me (being gay) that any messages of love, peace and goodwill to everyone are little more than empty words.
Religions are only closed shops, though, if their followers choose to make them so; many if not most (but not all, thank goodness) have closed hearts, open only to those who follow its dogma to the letter. (Heaven forbid, anyone should ‘deviate’ even in the name of humanity). Any inhumanity is easily put aside for a Heaven that’s any sheep’s reward for not having the temerity to stray from the dogmatic fold as preached by ‘betters’ who would appear to have His (or Her?) ear.
Some readers may think my Christmas poems disrespectful, but I can assure you that it is not towards religion that I am so minded but towards those who - in my experience - pay little more than lip service to the major lessons (any) religion professes to preach; e.g. peace, love, equality, respect and fairness amongst a common humanity…
Thank you for reading my blog/s, hope you have found plenty to enjoy, and here’s wishing you all a VERY Happy Christmas.
CHRISTMAS, CUE FOR AN OPEN HEART
A pet is not just
for Christmas
nor should December
have a monopoly
on spreading peace
and goodwill
Love is not just
for Christmas
nor should celebrating
any religion
mean shutting one
up or out
Caring is not just
for Christmas
nor can token gestures
of goodies
repay neglecting
the real thing
Mind, body, spirit,
have no need
of fairy lights on trees,
decorations,
or even and being seen
going to prayers
Let’s celebrate
the heart
that’s open all seasons
and all hours,
no one turned away,
no excuses
Copyright R. N. Taber 2016
