http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber
More
than once, readers have written in to ask why I don’t post more ‘nature’ poems
instead of (often, it’s true) composing what has been called ‘so-called’ poetry
that - in the words of one reader only recently - “…is just social comment.” I
confess I take exception to the word ‘just’; besides, the arts are littered
with social comment so why should I not join the fray?
Literature,
music, art, ballet, sculpture … whatever … if anyone thinks it’s all
entertainment, and nothing else, they are missing out on the whole of
what any art form is about; there are parts to many if not most things -
including human nature – and it is standing back to see-hear it as a whole
that really counts.
Demonstrations
here in the UK and the U.S protesting about the needless death of George Floyd,
an unarmed African-American while being forcefully restrained by a police
officer in Minnesota, have caused pain and anger beyond description; nor has
either been appeased by precious little attempt at government level to pour oil
on troubled waters. As for building bridges, well, hope springs eternal …
HUMANITY,
“COME ON DOWN” or L-I-F-E-, MAKE-OR-BREAK CONNECTIONS
No
matter the colour
of
a person’s skin, their gender
or
sexuality,
we
all deserve no more (or less)
than
to be treated
fairly
if not equally at (and by) all levels
of
human society
All
mind-body-spirit
asks
of the world is that it play fair,
be
kind,
not
impose such grim rites of passage
as
racism, sexism,
hate
crime against same sex relationships,
all
stereotypes
Humanity
is diverse
and
that is how it needs to be or we
would
want to know
how
to make it (far) more interesting;
a
common humanity
needs
to respect such differences as it asks
to
make us human
Take
away respect
and
we but give the worst of human nature
both
nod and wink
to
kill as well as give birth, ley anarchy loose
on
streets that understand
any
protesters would rather march in peace,
and
be heard
The
arts call on us
to
pull together, be kind, give understanding
a
chance to pave
the
way for good intentions instead
of
leaving them blocked
by
socio-cultural-religious taboos, made to fear
recriminations
Human
history
tells
many a sorry tale of its wars and injustices,
but
love, too,
reconciliation,
grounds for hoping
that
certain leading “Betters”
may
yet touch base with those expected to settle
for
the status quo
Any
Here-and-Now
needs
to be, open to change, and all its peoples
will
never always agree,
but
that’s where human nature comes
into
its own, the jewel
in
its crown, its capacity to hear and listen, look
and
see
Human
nature, get off your throne, earn your crown,
“Come
on Down”
Copyright
R. N. Taber 2020
[Note: For any readers who may not be aware, "Come on down!" is a catchphrase from the television game
show The Price Is Right; this poem also appears on my gay-interest poetry blog today..]