http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber
On September 15th 2005, a
sculpture of artist Alison Lapper by Marc Quinn was unveiled in Trafalgar
Square. The sculpture is a three-and-a-half metre-high representation of
disabled artist Alison Lapper when she was eight months pregnant. ‘Alison
Lapper Pregnant’ was chosen from a shortlist of six in March 2004 and remained
on the plinth for 18 months.
“Marc Quinn has created an artwork that is
a potent symbol and is a great addition to London,” said the Mayor of London,
Ken Livingstone, who endorsed and unveiled the sculpture. “It is a work about
courage, beauty and defiance, which both captures and represents all that is
best about our great city. Alison Lapper pregnant is a modern heroine – strong,
formidable and full of hope. It is a great work of art for London and for
everyone.’
Many if not most people seem to have agreed
with Livingstone and the sculpture took pride of place at the opening ceremony
for the London 2012 Paralympics in September this year; like the Paralympics itself, it has no played no small
part in changing attitudes towards disability for the better and totally
undermining old stereotypes. We can but hope for the same from future Paralympics and a better press for disabled people worldwide.
'Alison Lapper Pregant' on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square, 2005
'Alison Lapper Pregnant' at the Paralympics opening ceremony, London 2012
This poem is a villanelle.
ADDRESSING THE ART OF BEING HUMAN
Triumph of spirituality,
come Earth Mother truly excelling,
transcending creativity
Magnificence of fertility;
against its critics, surely rebelling;
triumph of spirituality
An essential diversity
above any cultural-religious calling,
transcending creativity
An expression of equality,
(sexuality, disability, notwithstanding)
triumph of spirituality
An all-embracing dignity
with its human prejudices engaging,
transcending creativity
Ambassador for family,
no art of motherhood more telling;
triumph of spirituality,
transcending creativity
Copyright
R. N. Taber 2012
ADDRESSING
THE ART OF BEING HUMAN
Triumph
of spirituality,
come
Earth Mother truly excelling,
transcending
creativity
Magnificence
of fertility;
against
its critics, surely rebelling;
triumph
of spirituality
An
essential diversity
above
any cultural-religious calling,
transcending
creativity
An
all-embracing dignity,
needs
must with prejudices engaging,
triumph
of spirituality
An
expression of equality,
(gender,
disability, notwithstanding)
transcending
creativity
Ambassador
for family,
no
art of motherhood the more telling;
triumph
of spirituality,
transcending
creativity
Copyright R. N. Taber, 2012; rev. 2020
[Note; This revised version will appear as the Dedication poem in 'Addressing the Art of Being Human' scheduled for publication late 2020 /early 2021; as readers often ask why I revise poems, I thought you would be interested to see both original and later versions written some eight years apart.] RNT