- Non-Erotic Poetry
- Manifesto
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There was a time I used to say
That straight is straight and gay is gay,
As if Love could somehow confine
Itself to one side of a line.
Indeed, since others held this view,
I, confident that it was true,
Had not the merest thought of bed
When that dear lady turned my head.
But slowly, slowly, drawn to her,
The line, it seemed, began to blur
And by the time we came to kiss
My mind had moved to think like this:
Though I like meat, can I not wish
Sometimes to taste another dish
And relishing it too, why then
Should I not savour meat again?
So this is how I see the joys
Of Love bestowed by girls and boys
Since beauty’s beauty, nonetheless,
However it may choose to dress.
And does Love feel the merest pain,
If kissing John or clasping Jane
I take the man’s or woman’s part
When Love resides within my heart?
There was a time I used to state
That gay is gay and straight is straight
But Love is Love and all is fine
Wherever one may draw the line.
- COMMENTS
Sapphos Sisteralmost 15 years agoAuthorFor the most part valid criticism of a not v good poem , I agree. Truth is that the poem is bogus and doesn't really reflect my views (too preachy for that!). Therefore the form has dictated the words (rather than the other way round). However, I don't agree that scansion and rhyme are retro - in their place they are as modern as free verse. In fact, generally I think there's too much 'art' and not enough 'craft' in modern poetry (just my opinion). Nor will I have more regard for what Marilyn Monroe has to say than Sappho (or any other of the classical poets - Ovid, Horace). Most human problems have been with us for thousands of years - can't see that modern commentators have a monopoly on wisdom.
vrosej10almost 15 years agoI normally love your work, but this felt a little like rhetoric. Still a good read though.
EroticOrogenyalmost 15 years agobut this poem seems to lack the punch of some of your other recent work.
Tzaraalmost 15 years agoI quite like your poems. You handle meter and form well, though your poems always seem a bit retro to me, almost like they were written 80, 90 years ago (well, except for the theme ;-) ).<p>
My suggestion would be that you try to write something more "contemporary," whatever that means. Free verse, for sure. You have an excellent sense of rhythm, and free verse really needs that to give it some kind of structure.<p>
But, on the other hand, if you want to keep doing what you're doing, that obviously is OK too. You write this kind of poem well, and I enjoy reading them.
DreamyLeeralmost 15 years agoso youre forcing your poetry into a place it doesnt fit. this poem covers a topic thats important but it does it poorly. the style is affected and your rhythm is plain off or at least uninspiring. of your duo, phaon has the more interesting voice but you clearly have poetic talent. i also flat out think that these poems back and forth from dead folks lack spark because youre not saying anything interesting. i dont feel a thousand years of perspective ringing in your poems. i reiterate that this poem is a sin against god and your own talent. its ok to try and fail. but whats the definition of madness? id rather hear what marilyn monroe or bettie paige have to say than one more poem about sappho.
