http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber
Readers ‘Raoul’
and ‘Sunita’ have asked for this poem that last appeared on the blog in 2010. Their,
too, has to be a secret love because their families are on opposite sides of a
socio-cultural-religious divide and would not approve of their relationship. Sadly,
I often hear from star-crossed lovers, gay and straight alike.
It isn’t
only gay people living in a gay-unfriendly environment that know all about that
cold, dark closet I experienced many years ago as a secretly gay youth and
young man. I would have hoped we were done with all that in 21st century
Britain, Tragically, there are as many if not more people having to endure the
same unbearable loneliness that goes with the territory whenever divided loyalties
conspire to make us to live a lie.
It has to
stop, and the only way a fair, peaceful society stands a chance is through
education. Socio-cultural-religious prejudices need to be openly, fairly, sensitively
and intelligently debated in schools so that future generations will come to understand
what I keep saying about our differences not making us different, only human. Many
parents do understand that, of course, but I look around and suspect they are
in a minority. All good teachers understand it, but are too often prevented by school
politics from passing it on to their students.
Personal space should not be a closet, for whatever reason, but an open door through which we can not only pass at any time, but also share what we find there with family and friends.
Yes, yes,
I know. I am repeating myself yet again. But as my dear, late mother used to
say, if something is worth saying, it is always worth repeating.
JOURNEY
INTO SPACE
Stars on
the water like little ships
sailing
down the river;
full moon
like a lighthouse beacon
guiding
them to harbour;
shadows
on the bank applauding
the event
like
ghosts from history’s pages
passing
by
No one
about but lovers, you and I,
keepers
of the night
on behalf
of all kinder humanity
while
nature sleeps;
for a
while, even ghosts dare relate
to the
little ships
sailing
past like wistful thoughts
on a
leafy breeze
We pause,
you and I, enjoying a rare
sense of
freedom,
engaging
with Earth Mother at peace
before
dawn’s call to arms;
there
will be other nights, ships too,
but none
like this;
witness
the universe open up its heart
and let
us in
Come
night’s illusions beaten to pulp
by
daylight’s hooves,
its
lovers shall bear witness wherever
shadows
gather
to
empathise with time’s penchant
for
mortality
and
nature’s persistent, eternal passion
for life
[From: Tracking the Torchbearer by R. N. Taber,
Assembly Books, 2012]
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