This takes some explanation. To begin with, my generation has a problem with the word “queer.” It ranks up there with the “n” word and the 6-letter “f” word in our sense of disparagement of people who have to work much harder in this world, controlled as it is by white, straight men.
Joseph Harker, one of my favorite poets (see his blog on “Poets I Love”), posted to a prompt to “answer” a poet of yore. He chose Gwendolyn Brooks’ “We So Cool” with an interpretation that included the word “queer.” My daughter, Riley/Laura, taught me that I am the first to chide people for “not changing,” and that since she identifies as “gender queer,” I will have to adapt. So my understanding of the queer world (and well as the “Q” word) has indeed expanded. Parents, it’s not always YOU teaching your kids – it goes both ways!
Then someone posted a homophobic rant about “Village People” and damnation, so I replied in a poem, riffing off Joseph. Long explanation – loaded with controversy – I welcome any and all comments on this one.
You Are Queer (with love to Gwendolyn Brooks and Joseph Harker)
You are queer. You
are dear. You
live free. You
please me. You
speak out. You
whisper, shout. You
are loud. You
are proud. You
were dates. You
find mates. You
live longer. You
grow stronger. You
catch hate. You
know fate. You
are shoved. You
are loved.
(c) 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
RJ Clarken
All I can say is, “You go girl!” Total props to you and to Joseph Harker.
Sharp Little Pencil
RJ, the biggest props are to Joseph and Gwendolyn. I’m the caboose, albeit a caboose full of love!! Amy
a.m. trumble
I love g. brooks-and this is a fantastic take
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much… actually, I liked Joseph’s better, but I do appreciate the compliment! Will travel to your blog and see what “trumble” you are stirring up!
Debbie
I love the form of this and I love your voice and your love. Thank you for helping us love more. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks to Gwendolyn Brooks for the form, which is the stuff of legend. “We So Cool” is an iconic poem… thanks, Debbie, for seeing the love within!
Sherry Blue Sky
Fantastic, Amy. Your daughter is fortunate – she has a mother who stands by her being who she is. Not everyone has that. Love this poem!!!!
Sharp Little Pencil
It’s all about flexibility and unconditional love. I love her because she is who she is, not in spite of it, right?
booguloo
Reads fine with me.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Michael. If not for Joseph’s original take, it would not have come to light.
Tilly Bud
I don’t know Brooks but I do remember being shocked in summer school, 2003, when we were taught about Queer Theory. Words are weird: everyone used ‘queer’ in the Seventies; then we were told it was a bad thing; now it’s been claimed and used in a different way. Don’t you love language?
Loved the poem.
Sharp Little Pencil
Yes, I love the English language, totally fluid. Too bad kids now use, “That’s so gay” blithely. I take them aside and explain why it’s hurtful…
Thanks for stopping by, Linda! Amy
Kim Nelson
Perfect ending, because, in the end, LOVE is all that matters.
Sharp Little Pencil
Amen, sister.
Bonnie Anderson
Loving this form, and so good to learn about it. The message comes across so powerfully and really gives food for thought.
Beautiful poem.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Bonnie. I don’t usually give that much “back story,” but felt the message went with the resulting poem. Glad you stopped by and hope you will be back! Amy
Mr. Walker
You wrote a lovely poem inspired by a poem inspired by a poem. I think that’s awesome, as is the message of your poem.
Sharp Little Pencil
Hope you have checked out Joseph’s blog too, as he is truly gifted. Thanks, Mr. Walker!
Joseph Harker
Amy, aside from being a wonderful and heartwarming poem, thank you again for your defense here and on Poetic Asides… as I posted on my blog, I JUST found out about all this happening this evening. (Which is a shame, I wish I could’ve seen what was written. Could use a good laugh. ^_^) It’s always extremely heartening to know that there are supportive people in the world who treat respect and decency as the highest virtues… it’s even better when they are talented poets. Always a joy to read your work, and always happy to see that for every jerk in the world, there is someone willing to call them on it. Thank you! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, Joseph, you missed the REAL histrionics. Will email you separately. I truly appreciate your work, your eloquence. You’re right – respect and decency ARE the highest virtues; unfortunately, for every Christian like me there are at least five who shout “Lord! Lord!” every Sunday and then deny their sons and daughters, their nieces, nephews, friends… I was taught (forgive me if you’ve heard this before) that being born white and straight in America was a lucky thing, in that I would have access to rights others didn’t, and that it was my duty to be an activist. That, combined with my writing (which gets all the better for reading you, my dear), helps me express my own stuff, including manic depression and surviving sexual abuse. We’re all just folks on this earth, and the sooner we get to that place and not just be “one thing,” the sooner we’ll have peace.
Love, Amy
Sarath Unnithan
You
are loved. ~
simple…no complications..
Sharp Little Pencil
Sarath, love is just that simple. Why don’t people listen to all the prophets – the Buddah, Gandhi, Jesus, Martin Luther King… this would be a wonderful world indeed if love was the main objective, wouldn’t it? Amy
pamela
Amy,
Wonderful poem and the form is quite interesting, it certainly hits home the message, perfectly. I not familiar with Brooks’ work. I now have a mission, lol.
You are an excellent poet, but, the most important thing is that, you are a kind woman and it shows in your writing. We need more people like you in the world.
Love,
Pamela
Sharp Little Pencil
Pamelita, this is the sweetest comment. As for Brooks, her “We So Cool” is legend. The broken phrases are echoed in both my and Joseph’s pieces. She was a trailblazer and a premiere firebrand of the 20s Harlem Renaissance. Definitely go here: Gwendolyn Brooks Poems. You’ll be blown away.
I’m learning from so many others like yourself that poetry is a potent means of self-expression and can be used in my activism for social justice – not as a hammer, but as a velvet glove (and a strong hand beneath)! Amy