Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams

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

In winter, there are always memories of summer to keep us warm and see us through the darkest, coldest, cruellest days… as we anticipate other summers and longer, warmer, kinder days.

Forget log fires and central heating. Lovers can always escape the cold in each other’s arms…so it’s lucky for gay people like me that love doesn’t discriminate any more than weather! It’s just a shame that we can’t always escape bigotry so easily. Yes, life is a lot easier for gay people in some parts of the world…but only some…and rarely that easy, wherever.

Brrrrrrrrrrr. Things can only get better, yeah?

SUMMER WISHES, WINTER DREAMS

Tangled legs on a spread of clover

mouths kissing, arms embracing;

sun nymphs dancing on naked bodies,

breasts bared to the sky, mischief

in each golden eye, making the most

of precious moments, playing to

an audience of doves in the branches

of a guardian tree

Half-remembered lovers ghosting us 

but fleetingly - cannot reach, touch,

yet watch and yearn, burn like candles 

in the wind till snuffed out, freeing us

to be who we are, no mere shadows 

of who we were before we lay here 

together, embracing a brave new future

in the lap of summer

But vaguely aware of doves applauding

in the ears or the passing of past loves 

getting in our eyes like smoky cloud trails

as we are transported by the smileys

on the faces of such as we, discovering 

(as if for the first time) the ecstasy 

of being in perfect harmony with each other

and nature

Inspired to respond to Earth Mother's 

love poetry as naturally as seeds in the air,

nurturing the world, sending it word

that love, like truth, may yet win through

whatever some people think or say

as others vie with ghosts to go one better,

swept along on a tide of inspired togetherness

and sexuality

Be sure love will have the last laugh

on its critics as summer will follow spring,  

autumn fires warm us on its colder days

wherever we are, doves cooing, sun shining 

either side of storm or snow, showers 

that would see flowers grow another day,

open their hearts by way of urging all humanity
to do the same

Copyright R. N. Taber 2004; 2012

[Note: An earlier version of this poem appears in The Third Eye by R. N. Taber, Assembly Books, 2004.]