Spelling it Out

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

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Albert Einstein 

“The world helps you to keep evolving and hope it's for better. You have to rise above all the tragedies in life. You have to grow, and if you stop growing, you are old.” - Hrithik Roshan“

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.”- Helen Keller 

“Winter is a season of recovery and preparation.” - Paul Theroux  

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” ― Maya Angelou

Now, after all the fun and fireworks, the early day of any new year can become daunting as we place our hopes in what lies ahead, no idea whether or not we will see them fulfilled, fail in the attempt or be outwitted by forces beyond our control…? A scary prospect.  The more we contemplate a whole new year ahead, so excitement and enthusiasm may well give way to a mind-body-spirit likely to leave us  less able to think straight than the worst hangover ever.  

So…? We may well need help. We may well need a sounding board. We may well need a good friend (who knows us well) to confide in and help our more positive thoughts to find a voice, give us feedback, help us through the hangover into whatever it takes to help us confront, make sense of and (eventually) rise above whatever is gnawing away at us…

 SPELLING IT OUT

Old year done and dusted,
another to get through, for better
or worse, as we can but try 
to keep looking on the bright(er) side
of life, whatever challenges
invading our personal space demand
we meet them head-on, 
resolve to tackle each as best we can,
bring out the best of being human

We can wish our cares away
to no avail, side-step, put on hold
our worst fears in vain,
inevitably have them catch us out
when we are least prepared
for not having thought them through,
shared our feelings with a friend,
sought more than a shoulder to cry on,
called on the best of being human

Every worry, every sadness
needs to find a voice, similarly
every voice needs someone
to listen to what it has to say, hear
what lies beyond the words,
help us to understand our world,
(even make it a kinder place?)
bring such inspiration to personal space
as lets heart-and-soul set the pace

Another year of spelling out You-Me-Us;
keywords: patience, peace, happiness

Copyright R. N. Taber 2023

[Note: This post-poem also appears on my general  blog today, given that feedback continues to suggest that many LGBT readers remain inclined to give this one a miss.] RT

PS Yes, I am working on a new gay-specific poem.

  

Togetherness, Badge of Pride

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

This reflective poem was written in 1983 during the latter days of my recovery from a severe nervous breakdown in 1979. I had lost all confidence in myself and my sexuality, but looking back on better, kinder, more positive times, I was able to survive a flood of mixed emotions and take my place in the real world again. I started a new job the same year.

TOGETHERNESS, BADGE OF PRIDE

Together was a long way;

some folks said it was the wrong way;

though we cared what they said,

went ahead, did it our way instead,

kept faith with each other;
joined your body to mine, let it patch up

a gaping hole in the soul,
proof enough we were doing

nothing wrong at all

We reinvented ourselves;

two of a kind, dancing mouth to mouth

on the same smile willing us,
applauding us that last long mile

on the road to a heaven

some people said would see us in hell,

but we knew better,

so long as we could be together,

making love forever

Time wasn’t on our side,

but stayed long enough for us to share

the beauty and glory of a love

inspiring sex of a kind to blow the mind

into pieces spinning time and space,

across galaxies where same sex lovers

have no need for a defence

against people who haven’t a clue

how it is for us

Forever sounds a long time;

some people said it was the wrong time,

but we didn’t listen,

did our own thing, leaving it to love

to take us through time and space,

across galaxies where same sex lovers

aren’t even expected to explain

to people who haven’t a clue how come

I’m still joined to you

Copyright R. N. Taber 2012; 2017

[Note: This poem has been revised since its first publication under the title 'Gift-Wrap' in Tracking the Torchbearer by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2012.]