pap&polemic

Well, I let this slip by me for a wee while there - I will get the hang of this soon. One of the reasons for not posting was being part of the passionate, powerful and proud Northwest Pride. Oh, the joys...such happiness, so much laughter. This year's Pride was really achieved by everyone involved - practically no funding and volunteers exhausted - but the new blood stepped in, oh I was so Proud! Yesterday I packed up the banners and flags and my heart soared as I folded them - we are so beautiful, all of us.

So today's poem isn't a tanka and it isn't tiny. I wrote it for Dublin Pride in 2002, but hey, things hold true...so here it is.

A Poem For Pride…

(Dublin Pride 29^th June 2002)

Pride is lined with Purpose; there’s changes to be made

The Purpose is to stand up tall and not to be afraid

The Purpose is remembering who fell to put us here

And Purposely I’ll raise my voice and celebrate the Queer

Pride has Perversity, it’s quirky and capricious

It’s scary and it’s hairy and it’s meltingly delicious

Let’s go and flaunt our colours, the colours of our dreams

With indiscreet Perversity that pulls at bigotry’s seams.

By Persuasion you will get there, be you nervous or unsure

Persuasion of the people is our strong and salty core

Your Persuasion is your happiness, your future and your lust:

Persuade me that you’ll be there - for if you can, you must!

It may be Pandemonium, the gods of chaos rule

In Pandemonium all kinds of love pour in the pool

Pandemonium is the laughter of volunteers in action

And making (out of dreams and hopes) a wild and Pure reaction

Do you frown on Promiscuity? I always thought that lust

For Power or for Freedom or for Loving was a must.

Promiscuity is breaking all the rules that held you back –

I’m Proud of Promiscuity if that’s what hiding lacks.

(Pride is dangerous and wilful and will not be contained

And every queen of every gender graciously will reign.

Pride is happy and hysterical and cannot be ignored

And every queen of every kind deserves to be adored).

By Persistence we will win, we’ll take the streets back, claim our space

Persistence through the year, and on the day a wave of grace.

Persistence is what keeps us here, what keeps us all alive

With Persistence we’ll be free and help the weaker to survive.

Pride is quite Peculiar, it’s horny and it’s hot

It’s full of flair and showing off the kind of Pride we’ve got

Peculiar’s what strangers say who can’t accept your style

Come out and play and gladly be Peculiar with a smile.

With Perseverance we will see the world around us rage

As in glorious diversity we take the centre stage

With Perseverance we can see the future not so dark,

But brighter than the closet, so walk fearless through the park.

My Politics are basic – it’s the Politics of Pride

I want Freedom and I’ve got the right to kick the crap aside.

It’s Passionate and Powerful, this love that we all share

With Passion we will take our Power from those who do not care.

ImPassioned we are out there, on the street or in our heart

For we are Powerful and Beautiful, will not be kept apart

Our Potential is unlimited, with Pride let’s hear the shout –

“We’re here and getting stronger and we’re Proud of being Out!”