Roger N. Taber's Poetry Page
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Roger N. Taber's Poetry Page
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Contemporary Poetry On Gay & Other Themes
"Colour, creed, sex, sexuality...these are but part of a whole. It is the whole that counts." RNT
I write on a variety of themes relevant to the 21st century; these embrace environmental, social and political issues as well as love and nature poems (see details below).
As a gay man, I include poems on a gay theme in my published collections. Since the late 1990s more of these have previously been accepted for publication elsewhere but relatively few editors/ publishers will accept gay-interest material for general magazines/ anthologies.
While I would not describe myself as a religious person, I like to think I have a strong sense of spirituality. People - not least gay men and women - often tell me that religion has let them down and they feel deprived of spirituality. Poems like these are for everyone but especially for them:
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CELEBRATING SEXUALITY
Forget the lonely years
of coming to terms
with who we are and the pain
of Coming Out;
Love is a precious thing
(who can ever forget?)
nor the love of two gay people
any less so for that
Let’s celebrate!
There will always be some
who can’t come to terms
with a gay person’s lot – well,
so what?
So life and love don’t
always work out
as we hope…life’s like that,
gay or straight
Let’s celebrate!
Congratulations to gay men
and women everywhere,
nor bi-sexual or transgender
folks forgot;
Our sexuality does us proud
and love is what life’s
all about, though sometimes
we come to it late
Let’s celebrate!
What the heck? We are who
we are and proud of it;
the world can take us or leave
us for that;
It’s so good to be – alive!
Let no one say different
and if they do, the chances are
they’re not
Let’s celebrate!
R. N. Taber c2007
[Note: London, July 2007. One of s series of poems I wrote to celebrate 40 years since the decriminalization of homosexuality in the UK]
THE QUILT MAKERS' SONG
Life! Let me not hunger
for all I cannot be, but
suffer me a passion for
what’s gone before;
Let me build cathedrals,
flare them high, dedicated
to my better selves
so they may rest easy
in a shade, against crosses
made by matchstick men,
losses we shall count again
when the time comes
to account for more
than dreams. Life, not
all it seems
Love! Let me not beg
at the roadside, but
give freely and let’s
paint pictures to last
centuries, windows
stained with all the colours
of our love-making;
Let those who come after us
be together in their turn
and lift an eye for knowing
this; and we shall share
each kiss again, again
again – we matchstick
men. Love, not
all our pain
Death! Let me not weep
for those I have loved;
Let there be candles lit
in each airy cathedral,
saintly with sunshine,
ringing out with rain, our
seasons come again!
Smiles of joy among the tears
to mark this, the salvation
of our fears, a passing
through chance memories,
celebration of our years;
Butterfly wings across
a garden. Dead, and
who’s forgiven?
R. N. Taber c1995
[Note: This poem takes it title from the AIDS quilt, of which I was privileged to see a part during a trip to San Francisco].
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO LOVE?
Peace in the park abused by druggies
desperate to fund the luxury;
No time for drugs? Lets go for alcohol
poisoning instead…
Fun at the fair ruined by pickpockets
out for an easy ride;
Sanctuary in our schools invaded
by a culture of bullying
Generation gaps made (far) wider
by five star psychiatrists;
Mother Nature repeatedly raped
by property developers
War on Terror, a welcome distraction
from Home Front issues;
Our own back yards piled high
with body bags…
Conscience part salved by more charity,
confession, prison programs…
Problem part solved by pointing fingers
of blame elsewhere
Facts of life, we’re told and no point
in crying over spilt blood;
Prevention better than cure, they say,
so whatever happened to love?
R. N. Taber c2007
IN A WORD
Lord, I know not who
or what you are or where
you be, yet I feel a Presence
in the very heart of me
and Spirit as much a part
of me as the sun by day
and moon by night, shedding
heavenly light upon a world
that knows precious little
for sure, where darkness
would grip the very soul
were Someone not here,
there, everywhere - to urge
us on to better things
and better ways than else
we'd know without
a Light to show;
Lord, Word, whisperings
in the ear (and none so deaf
that will not hear) let us shed
the shackles of history
and exchange our chains
for a joining of hands
in Peace and Love
no matter colour, creed
or other division
On earth, as it is in heaven
R. N. Taber c2000
THREE LITTLE WORDS
Three little words, all I had to say
but dare not, day after day…
My heart ached each time I tried
so crossed my fingers and lied…
It hurt, each time you looked at me
as if urging I speak, break free…
Yet three little words I could not say
though loving you more each day…
My soul cried out in bleakest despair
so I shut my ears, tried not to hear…
I died when you heaped praise on me,
the coward in me you could not see…
Three little words, all I had to say
but dare not, day after day…
There had to be more to life than this
growing empathy with Judas…
To family, friends, at last I came true;
no problem, love won through…
Three little words, I’m so proud to say
day after day - I am gay
R. N. Taber c2005
ANNUAL REPORT
Born to lead, fulfil, unite;
Invariably, though, dividing,
losing sight of how many
chosen to fight on one side
rather than chance losing face,
faith in an interpretation of
rights and wrongs pointing
clearly to a strategy - for
victory over mortality
Come to bring peace, hope;
Invariably, though, screws up
at practically every turn for
each well-meant move taken,
every word preached ringing
with sincerity - truth’s old
enemy, better placed than
any to take a dove’s eye
view of our morality
Pigeon-holed by history,
shaped by the eternal mystery
of Creation, each to our own
interpretation, verification
according to temporal needs
and desires, lighting the fires
of spirituality - a common
humanity or personal gain,
as the case may be
Christianity, Islam, whatever,
can do better, must try harder
R. N. Taber c2005
GOING TO MEET THE MAN
A young man went to heaven,
and knocked at the door;
An angel came, looked him over,
told him he’d have to wait
a wee longer;
A second angel came along
carrying the Book,
scratched his head, giving
the man a hard,
old-fashioned look;
When a third angel arrived,
the youth managed to say,
‘Is there a problem ’cause I’m gay?’
The angels muttered piously
‘Truth will have its way.’
The young man broke down
but, turning to leave,
Someone took him gently
by the sleeve, saying
loud and clear
Who seeks, shall enter
R. N. TABER c2002
[Note: This poem was writen for a young gay Catholic man with a terminal illness. He was distressed because the local priest was threatening him with hell and damnation if he did not repent his "sinful" gay ways].
BETWEEN FRIENDS
Under a halo of sudden light
a familiar figure beckons;
Looks, sure to win the devil over;
Designer gear, angels would
give their wings for;
Laugher lines in the classic brow,
enigmatic poise, teasing
me - even now!
Into the clinging dew, I’ll run barefoot,
hug anew this pouting saint
to a sobbing breast;
Laughter, through tears!
For all these years, parted
broken-hearted;
Catching my breath, no nearer it seems
to this golden haired god in jeans
I’ve borrowed before;
Reaches out a hand, indulging me
a smile that means so much,
I’d give my all to touch;
Like a lark into dawn skies, vanished!
A bitter-sweet song, no listener
left unpunished
Our lives, as fresh as spring rain
till you tried heroin
R. N. Taber c1974
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More Poems
GROWING PAINS
It was after Maths and I had forgotten
a text book so you came back with me
to help me look, just minutes to spare
before Chemistry. Suddenly, you
were holding me and your mouth
missed mine only because I panicked
and ran, shoving you aside. I remember
how you cried out, all that fear
and pain and love banging in my head
like passionate drums. But there was
no passion in me, only feelings run riot
and I don’t know how I got through
the next weeks, avoiding you at every turn,
demanding of my anguished Youth
other energies to burn, sought
in next-door Mary other lessons to learn
and learned them well, hurled
into a hell of isolation, playing at
boy-friend, bike mate, regular son,
unable to relate to anyone, riding pillion
on Conversation in perfect rhythm
without much sense until, smashed and weary
I let peel off all pretence, layer by layer,
sprawled on my bed, hypnotised by a dippy
moth – making frantic wing overhead;
I caught up with you after school one day,
felt foolish fumbling for things to say,
confided a pain with geometry;
You would not even look at me…
At your house you turned the key
just as I found words to chance me
and you gave the door a mighty kick,
blinking back tears that prick me
even now, years on (no idea where
he's gone) and I cherish still
our first nakedness, thrill
to a freedom brought to bear
in ritual ending of our fear
Note: Since the publication of this poem, I have received many letters and e-mails from young gay men anguishing about their sexuality and nowhere to turn. Yes, even in the 21st century and since the repeal of Section 28 in November 2003.
NOT THE TEN O’CLOCK NEWS
Look at the world and despair
for all the pain and conflict here
and yet always be aware - of
goodness everywhere;
it doesn’t get into newspapers
or on TV because goodness
isn’t cool, doesn’t send sales
soaring or boost ratings, hasn’t
the drawing power of political
hot-spots, personal tragedy,
churches wrangling over gays
while Baghdad burns and Africa
struggles with HIV/AIDS
and even worse world leaders
than Sadaam Hussein are still
getting away with murder…
but, politically, remain far
too hard a nut to crack so better
to go for the softer option
and labour its merits to help win
an election, turning motivation
round (a kinder sound to ears
sick of the same old fairy story);
Truth is, goodness isn’t always
good at all, of far less concern to
the world’s Mandarins of Power
than what suit or robe to wear, the
rest of us meant to infer that our
best interests are on their agenda
So, down to you and me to prove
goodness lives, in peace and love
WISH YOU WERE HERE
Side by side, we met the tide
and plunged into the sea,
swam with the fishes - then
rose again, my love
and me
Hand in hand, we crossed the sand
smiling at everyone;
Nudge-nudge, wink-wink
on our backs, hotter
than the sun
We stayed just long enough
to gather up our stuff
and stroll the gamut, pausing
for a kiss - to oblige
the local press
We hit page three, my love
and me. Breakfast was strained
at the B&B - till one guest said
a fine pair we made, and
the rest cheered!
Over greasy eggs and bacon
and mugs of stewed tea, we
grinned happily - enjoying
a grand vacation, my gay
love and me
ON THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF WEEDS
There is an ache in us, a weed grown tall,
no matter how hard we try to put it down;
It may be grief, relating to each petal
that ever fell, trod underfoot,
as if never a flower at all;
It may be love, our hearts possessing,
found wanting or left undiscovered for
others to find while we’re busy
chasing some map, piecemeal,
on a frantic treasure trail;
It may be hate, refusing to be put to rest,
though we do our best to be adult about it,
kidding ourselves we’re better than that,
can resist self-destruct;
It may be jealousy, a sense of inadequacy
for everyone going places, leaving us alone,
standing still, left to swallow
the bitterest pill of all;
Though on temporal fodder we feed,
no greater need than finding the right Word,
by which, secretly, we would have
our hidden selves be called…
risen above mere survival, select spawn
of a flawed humanity investigating (albeit
reluctantly, let’s confess) the wider
implications of mortality
Thank goodness. Or how else to live, love,
dream, expect to enjoy poetry?
THE LONGEST JOURNEY
Love has many faces,
some gay, some not,
journeys many places,
laughs, cries a lot…
No finer friend you’ll find
to share peace of mind
whenever demons on the brain
come again, again
for the soul
or we fall
Love has many faces,
comforts, make afraid
in least expected places,
reflecting all that’s made us
tearful, sublime,
captives of Time;
In a world not of our choice
its sweeter voices
ease the soul
or we fall
Love has many reasons,
asks questions, tells lies;
a face for all seasons
where need flies…
In the heat of human sorrows,
through crumbling tomorrows;
Brave hearts on wing
in spite of everything
that drags on the soul
or we fall
My love, it wears a friend’s face,
makes no demands;
A single candle placed
at your heart’s command…
Under threat of darker sorrows,
striving better tomorrows;
A light in the soul’s gloaming
to guide an epic roaming
at freedom’s call
or we fail
Copyright Note: While the copyright to all my poems remains mine, people are welcome to use them (in most private contexts) as and when they wish - so long as they acknowledge my authorship, I must be contacted prior to any public reading of my poems. RNT
Contact: rogertab@aol.com
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About Myself, My Books & Blogs
I started writing poetry as a student, back in the 1970s. It was 1993 before editors of various U.K. and U.S. poetry magazines/anthologies began publishing my poems and some 500+ have appeared to date (other than in my own collections).
I try to write simply but intelligently and with feeling about things that matter; Green, and socio-political issues as well as Love and Nature poetry.
As a gay man, I include gay poetry but prefer the term gay-interest; as far as I am concerned poetry is poetry and gay poetry is simply poetry with a gay theme, not a separate genre-within-a-genre. Many of my gay-interest poems can be found on http://gaypoetry.com (Search under Roger Taber).
My first major collection, Love and Human Remains (ISBN 0953983307) continues to do well - for a poetry book - and is available from me (a signed copy), amazon.co.uk, UK bookstores and public libraries. A second volume, First Person Plural (ISBN 0953983315) has been available since October 2002. A third volume, The Third Eye (ISBN 0953983323) - was published in March 2004. A fourth title - A Feeling For The Quickness Of Time (ISBN 0953983331) was published in November 2005. Each book contains a wide variety of 200+ & 150+ & 170+ & 200+ poems respectively, arranged in sections.
A 5th poetry collection - 'Accomplices To Illusion' - was published in May 2007 (see amazon.co.uk under title or R. N. Taber). It comprises nearly 200 new poems in seven sections, including a gay section and the (colour) cover design is by my close friend Graham J. Collett.
Although my poetry books are only on sale in the UK, I sell (signed) copies to readers worldwide over the Internet. Most of my poems (including gay-interest poems, in recent years) have been published elsewhere. However, combining poetry on a gay theme alongside poetry on other major themes under one cover remains something of a literary innovation; most publishers (still) run a mile - so I went ahead and created my own imprint, Assembly Books.
I am delighted to say, I not only recover costs but frequently receive encouraging e-mails from gay and straight readers across the globe. It has proved to be a very enjoyable way to "meet" new people, exchange poems or simply make new friends.
Other poems are accessible on the Internet simply by typing "roger taber poet" in any search engine, especially Google.
Some of my poems have been requested and read on BBC Radio 4 programmes - very encouraging for a poet who is rarely in the media spotlight...
Signed copies of all my books can be sent on request (£9.99 + £1.00 p&p in the UK).
Details and some reviews of all my books are listed on amazon.co.uk under R. N. Taber (I write my fiction as Roger N. Taber) or ISBN.
My first novel - 'Blasphemy' - published by GLB Publications (San Francisco) Sept. 2006 is distributed in the UK by Gazelle Book Services (Lancs). [See amazon.com & amazon.co.uk for details; the latter also has a synopsis]. It retails as £10.99 in the UK & $15.95 in the US. [Most public libraries will obtain on request if not already in stock]. It is now avaukable as an e-book. 'Blasphemy' is Book 1 of a planned trilogy. Book 2 - 'Sacrilege' - is likely to be completed by mid-late 2008.
My blogs are not interactive but I always reply to e-mails. I am delighted to have received some very interesting e-mails about my blog(s). It is so encouraging. Comments - good bad, critical, whatever... are always welcome. The idea is to try and put some of my poems in context as well as write about issues that matter. [NB There is a link to the gay blog below]. One blog is for everyone and (among other things) promotes Gay Awareness. Sometimes the two blogs overlap. But straight readers are unlikely to go into a gay blog so...oh, what the heck!
http://rogertab.blogspot.com/ (for everyone)
I have lived in Kentish Town [London (UK) Borough of Camden] since 1985.
Contact: rogertab@aol.com
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