The House of Many Rooms

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

“On the whole, human beings want to be good, but not too good, and not quite all the time.” – George Orwell in All Art is Propaganda: Critical Essays

As the pandemic pursues its relentless course around the world, many of us are taking refuge in kinder, happier times, albeit often tailored to kinder, happier needs; there is a lot to be said for and against the selective power of Memory.

On the whole, though, I would suggest that, for many if not most of us, Memory draws on the finer points of mind-body-spirit, sweeping any darker aspects aside; some specks, though, will inevitably remain, like flaws of human nature best forgotten, but which have a nasty habit of resurfacing now and then, invariably in some unseemly manner as likely as not to cause offence, even where none intended.

Arguably, there are elements of that consciousness we call ‘Memory’ which are genetic, a part of us that has its roots in a family history that can be so persuasive as to plant itself in our subconscious, visit us in dreams so ‘real’ that we may well carry them as ‘memories’ which, in turn, may well have behavioural consequences, for better or worse.

A gay poet, I am, of course very much aware that many people believe sexuality is a lifestyle choice; it is, of course, in the genes if selective in whom it manifests itself.

THE HOUSE OF MANY ROOMS

I go there often, to an old house
of many rooms,
each one different, yet oddly familiar,
but nothing ever quite
the same, it seems, from one visit
to another

I love to explore the old house
of many rooms,
now playing games of hide-and-seek
with childhood friends,
now discovering home truths
and heartbreak

I often shelter in the old house
of many rooms,
seek comfort from cold, mist and rain,
or so I tell myself
despite an inner voice insisting
I’m on the run

Ghosts, too, in the old house
of many rooms
and only so many games we can play,
its doors opening
and closing on shadowy masks
of “live” clay

Dusty corners, in the old house
of many rooms,
I do my best to sweep clear and clean,
but always a residue
left behind that I’ll pretend
I’ve never seen

A guardian of sorts, the old house
of many rooms,
a store of life forces, good, bad and ugly,
reminders of a life
lived for love and its pitfalls;
such is humanity

Everyone knows an old house
of many rooms,
best approached with mixed expectations,
much of a muchness
the world over, despite universal
mutations

Many and varied are such houses
of many rooms,
nor bricks and mortar can we expect to see,
but a consciousness
of personal-posthumous-collective
family history

Copyright R. N. Taber, 2022

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

 

 

 

 

 

Human Spirit, the Making of Us (All)

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

There will always be some who refuse to get their heads around the fact that there are millions of us gay people amongst all humankind making as equally valuable a contribution to its humanity as our heterosexual neighbours. The trouble is, humankind comprises multiple closed shops marketing multiple closed hearts under various socio-cultural-religious and political umbrellas. Fortunately, the human spirit is an open house and will yet see the  greater part of humanity prove itself the better for that.

Spirituality emanates from a person's mind-body-spirit; no religion has a monopoly on it. To me, it seems absurd to suggest that a non-religious person cannot, by default, experience a sense of spirituality; bonding with nature is no less of a spiritual experience than embracing God as defined by whatever dogma. Yes, people will argue for one concept or another, but is it not agreeing to differ that makes us human?

HUMAN SPIRIT, THE MAKING OF US (ALL)

When folks ask why I’m gay,
I tell them I was born this way

Some will say it can’t be true,
any God has better things to do
than create distorted images
to blot humankind’s copybook,
rewrite history’s pages,
make religions take a long look
at themselves, leave cultures
to those power-hungry vultures
that love to preach and lead,
assuming their authority as read

Some suggest my sexuality
is irreconcilable with spirituality;
they, so blessedly taken in
by interpretations of Holy Books,
a case for eternity that brooks
no argument among those afraid
of condoning, let alone trying
to understand bigotry they’re sold
by those we’re told know better
how best we live with one another

People accuse me of blasphemy
(at best, a penchant for immorality)
thus putting me on the defensive
for what has to be a clear distortion
of what Holy Books have in mind
for each person (Oh, so what am I?);
Ah, but taking issue asks we see
how and why there is a place for each
and every one of us, regardless
of our colour, creed, sex or sexuality

Those folks who ask why I am as I am
might well ask the same of themselves

Copyright R. N. Taber 2012; 2020

[Note: An earlier version of this poem under the title ‘Found Wanting' appears in Tracking the Torchbearer by R. N. Taber, Assembly Book, 2012]

Gay Folks Do

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

Yes, I know I am on a summer break...BUT...I would like to encourage readers to click on to the link below as I think it is very important for everyone in societies worldwide that this absurd notion about gay people needing to be ‘cured’ is killed off once and for all.

http://www.allout.org/en/actions/endgaycures?akid=809.914447.qwwDrp&amp=&amp=&amp=&rd=1&t=3&utm_campaign=endgaycures&utm_content=english&utm_medium=email&utm_source=actionkit

Sexuality has to be in the genes. How else can there be millions of us worldwide from all kinds of socio-cultural-religious backgrounds?  The less enlightened among the heterosexual majority need to change the record and get real.

Meanwhile...

A reader, 'Anton'  has asked me to repeat the link (again) to my informal poetry reading on the 4th plinth in  Trafalgar Square in 2009 as part of Antony Gormley's  One and Other 'live sculpture' project. Be warned, it lasts an hour:

http://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20100223121732/oneandother.co.uk/participants/Roger_T

Meanwhile...

Creative writing or any kind of creativity for that matter is a wonderful therapy. Don’t worry about being any good at it or not, just focus and go ahead; it is always a worthwhile exercise.

Now, I am not having as relaxing a break as I would like and am experiencing a lot of unexpected stress. As always, writing poems - especially love poems - helps relieve that stress and I would like to share this one with you today.

GAY FOLKS DO

There is a fire in me

that burns night and day,

but they say

it can’t possibly be love

because we’re gay

and everybody knows

gay folks

don’t do love, only camp,

butch and sex

There is a light in me

that shines night and day

but they say

it can’t have anything to do

with spirituality

since everybody knows

gay folks

only have time for sexual

identity

There is a voice in me

that sings night and day

about life, love,

and the sheer beauty

of being gay,

loving someone who loves

me too,

Earth Mother watching

over us

Copyright R. N. Taber 2012

On the Battlefields of Love

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

Wherever we are in the world, boy or girl, man or woman, and whatever our sexuality, it is a basic human right to fall in love and (hopefully) be loved in return.

Love, though, takes all shapes and forms, and it has to be said that lovers do not have a monopoly.

At the same time, who can deny that, for lovers, it is a way of life, and only a narrow-minded bigot would express such a denial regarding gay people?

Life is often a mental as well as a physical battlefield, but to love goes the last word and final victory, never judging and never, but never discriminating along lines of colour, creed, sex or sexuality. 

Sexuality has to be in the genes; there is no other explanation for gay people across the world, from all manner of socio-cultural-religious backgrounds. 

So why do so many people continue to resist the notion that there is nothing 'unnatural' about being gay?  In my experience, the heterosexual majority is very defensive when challenged n the subject of homophobia, it disturbs their comfort zone. Invariably, they resort to that old stand-by 'it is what it is' and we must make of that what we will.

I am reminded of a comment by physicist Stephen Hawking: 'The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.'

Whatever, thank goodness love, at least, doesn't give a damn about sexuality.

 ON THE BATTLEFIELDS OF LOVE 

There is a gene amongst others

that scares fathers, concerns mothers,

while (still) gay people everywhere

crying out for them in desperation to care,
cave in to love

Whatever ethnicity, gender, creed,

it is on love that families should feed;

where faith a mask for hypocrisy,

religions often found guilty. pitting dogma
against humanity

Gay people have every right to be

free of cultural prejudices and bigotry

making us feel we must defend

our sexuality to the bitter end, its casualties
notwithstanding

It’s good to be open, honest, true,

but what are gay people supposed to do

when love for family put on the line,

urging us to redefine ourselves by imposing
impossible choices?

If faith in a God fills heart and soul,

how can gay people expect to reconcile

teachings of universal love and peace

with examples holy leaders choose to enforce
this or that dogma?

We can but follow love’s golden rules,

(if made to carry its burdens like mules)

in a common humanity put our trust,

shake off its nemeses like dust, human nature
its own worst enemy

Copyright R N Taber,  2010, rev. 2019

[Note: An earlier version of this poem appears in On the Battlefields of Love (without an alternative title) by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2010]

Let The Music Play

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

Today’s poem is a kenning and last appeared on the blog during the spring of 2010. It was less well received when I posted it on my general blog, but I have read it at poetry readings around the UK and the response from by mixed gay/straight audiences = especially young people - has always been very encouraging.

Now, sexuality is neither a conditioning process nor a deliberate lifestyle choice. Anyone with a grain of common sense realises that it has to be in the genes if only because it’s the only way to account for gay people world-wide from all manner of socio-cultural-religious backgrounds and persuasions.

Even if I were not gay I’m certain I’d have reached the same conclusion. There is nothing unnatural about being gay; on the contrary, it is but one among many to be found in nature’s mixed bag of blessings we call humanity.

Wherever we are stigmatised or demonised for being gay, you will find foolish, ignorant people so in love with the sound of their own voices that they have little or no understanding or respect for meaning. Fortunately, though, there will always be those among the heterosexual majority with a penchant for enlightenment and passion for humanity that will prevail, as it has for centuries, if not always when, as individuals, we need it most.  

LET THE MUSIC PLAY 

I creep up on you as time passes by;

you sense my presence but unsure

how or why it should make you feel

different from the way you thought

you were (as told) not so many years

before, when childhood games took

their cue from history, the mysteries

of adulthood waiting in the wings

for its mortal gamut to be run

I seize upon your senses as they wake

to the challenges of peer pressure,

parental expectations, private desires

lighting fires in the heart, ambition

conspiring with aspiration to indulge

the mind its appetite for a fate far better

than mapped out at school or around

the kitchen table. Yet, I too, am here

and you less able to suss me out?

I will pluck at your nerve strings until

you recognise the tune I play and let

it loose on heart, mind, body and soul

though (for a while at least) you share it

with no one, unsure how. Now, choose.

Play out the most beautiful song you will

ever hear or let me go, follow a safer

course, give ambition (or convention?)

a stronger, louder (better?) voice

Only, listen to the music and let it play,

this gene that says, “I’m gay.”

[From: Accomplices to Illusion by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2007]

Millions Like Us

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

Let some people say what they will, there is nothing ‘unnatural’ about being gay. Nor are we select products of our environment. We are human beings and no less natural for being gay than if we were (heaven forbid) straight. We come into the world this way and bigots should keep in mind that we are (or should be) a common humanity, whatever (and wherever) our socio-cultural-religious roots.

As I have said time and again on the blogs, and written poems on the same theme, sexuality has to be in the genes or how else can we explain that there are gay, homosexual, queer people (what's in a name anyway?) world-wide from all manner of socio-cultural-religious backgrounds? Furthermore, history tells us that many gay people have made a valuable contribution to the arts and sciences, so that hardly justifies the bigots and religious fundamentalists dismissing us for not ticking the right boxes. [Who wants to tick theirs anyway?]

In other words, we’re all in the same boat and if the boat is top heavy, no one is going to use our sexuality as a reason for our being the first to be thrown overboard. Just let them try, yeah?

Sexuality is only a part of our whole identity; it is the whole that counts. How would the socio-cultural-religious homophobes (by any other name) among us like it if we were to all but ignore everything about them except for their having drawn the heterosexual straw in the womb?

For anyone interested you can hear me read today’s poem on Brighton beach back in May for my YouTube channel. Incidentally, the camcorder we were using was stolen and I replaced it with an updated version of the same model that seems to work much better. We have recently improved recordings further by using a digital Dictaphone, but can only use this for voice-overs. I love recording on location, but we don’t have top of the range equipment (more like the reverse) so have to hope for the best. A number of viewers have been in touch to say they enjoy my YouTube channel while Graham and I have great fun making the videos so that’s good enough for us. Moreover, reading the poems and editing the videos has been a very enjoyable learning curve for Graham and me so look out for more as time goes by.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxDfd2Pxqic

If the link doesn’t work, go to my YouTube channel. Click on ‘see all’ and scroll down to Brighton in May (3):

http://www.youtube.com/rogerNtaber

[OR (updated 2012) simply click on the video below in which it is one of two poems I read.]

This poem is a kenning.

MILLIONS LIKE US

I am but one among many
sometimes pushed into a corner
or against a wall,
nor does Earth Mother always hear
when I call on her
to referee a fair fight, whistle them
downwind who seek
to wipe me out, cast doubt
on my birthright

I can but catch the tears
Earth Mother lets fall for failing me
sometimes, wash myself clean
of the world’s blood, sweat and dirt
staining my shirt,
pick myself up again, smile
in the face of adversity,
signal to my enemy that I am not
discouraged easily

I take hope and inspiration
from Earth Mother’s heartfelt concern
for all her children,
vulnerable as some of us are
to humankind’s dark side, especially
the likes of me,
frowned upon by a majority
bent on playing up to temporal ‘norms’
and a fragile spirituality

Call me out, who puts the ‘I’ in Identity,
the gene nature lets speak for sexuality

Copyright R. N. Taber 2009

[Note: This poem will be included in my collection Tracking The Torchbearer scheduled for publication in February/March 2012]