Don’t Forget The Mesquite
(musings on Hell and Oscar Wilde)
Lots of folks
Some in my family
say I’m gonna burn in hell
‘cause we love
our daughter, gender queer
We ring her praise like a bell
Hell must be
fun, funny, musical
Gershwin, Gertrude, Oscar Wilde
I’d rather
burn in hell with those folks
than live in sanitized Mild
But please don’t
forget to put mesquite
in with me, to smell my best
when I descend
to see Blanche and Charlotte
and our cat Gable at rest
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Yes, it’s true, our cat Gable was gay. The only one who could pick him up was our landlord, and they would plotz over each other like two preening queens. My mom Charlotte and her mom Blanche were not lesbians, but they knew and loved the whole gay community, including “Auntie Frank,” she of the cowboys boots and best friend (a femme who “never found the right man either.”). So, yeah, I’m going in a handbasket, whatever.
I actually don’t believe in Hell (there’s enough on Earth), but they still want me to go there. Whatever.
Imaginary Garden With Real Toads’ Marian asked us for poems about, influenced by, or concerning Oscar Wilde. She posted a BRILL YouTube clip of countertenor David Daniels, whose voice you would swear is alto – he’s a countertenor, higher than a tenor – but he seems pretty chill for an opera singer. Click HERE to witness his magnificent voice, as he prepares to premiere an opera about Oscar Wilde, starring as the man himself.
And oh, you homophobes, I hope you enjoy this piece. It is absolutely true, every single word! Peace and solidarity with my LGBTQ bros and sisses, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
Joan
I’ll take your musings anyday – anytime. Thanks
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, thanks, Joan! Amy
Kerry O'Connor
I love the way you have approached this particular prompt by speaking in your own voice, and declaring your stand-point with wit and wisdom. It’s hard to fathom that such prejudice persists today – homosexuality may no longer be a criminal offence in the Western world but our society still seeks to keep the community in chains.
I always say I expect to go to hell; all my friends are there… but I certainly do not believe in that Medieval scare tactic.
Sharp Little Pencil
I don’t believe in hell either…. except on earth: In brothels, in abusive homes, kids abandoned by families, starvation…
But as long as she said I’m going to Hell, I thought I’d have a little fun with it!
Helen
I love this! I worked for an awesome man who happened to be gay for sixteen years … the majority of my co-workers, best friends were gay. We were .. will always be FAMILY! Mesquite my favorite fragrance ………..
Sharp Little Pencil
Isn’t it funny how we become (as my friend Jason calls it) “fruit flies,” ha ha ha. It’s true, my gay friends, most of home are more than acquainted with loss, are the most reliable, the ones who treasure time spent together… Thanks, Helen. Coming to see you now. Amy
brian miller
you know, i think there are many that come the afterlife will be surprised who makes the cut…and ironically if they do for the love they kept from others……
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, Brian, I hear you. Although I don’t believe in Hell (except on earth), I do find it funny how people here claim to speak and judge for God! A
Audrey Howitt
Loved this Amy–so much of the truth rings here for me–and as an aside–David Daniels is one of the best!
Sharp Little Pencil
I first heard him sing two years ago, and I was flabbergasted that any man could sing in such a clear, mellow alto register. I’ve heard countertenors, but Daniels is the best I’ve ever come across. He is blessed. Thanks, Audrey, coming to your blog now!
Susie Clevenger (@wingsobutterfly)
Love it Amy! I feel you could be speaking for me. I have many who feel I am on a deep slide into hell.
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, Susie, I say, “To hell with ’em.” (wink)
Lisa A.Williams
Really love this Amy! Oscar Wilde has always been one of my favorites, an extremely creative man crucified for trying to live an authentic life.
Sharp Little Pencil
As always, people hate what they don’t understand. Tragic…
clarioretenebris
Denise and I join the applause for Wilde choices made by you and your daughter. Love over prejudice, yes. Good poem.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks to both of you for getting the point: LOVE! Peace, Amy
Kay, Alberta, Canada
I love “Musings on Hell and Oscar Wilde” because, of course, there are holier-than-thou types who are sure he’s there waiting for you.
I have friends of all sexual persuasions, have had friends die in the AIDS epidemic, others live happily together for 40 years…good, kind, sweet, wonderful human beings whom I may have missed if I hadn’t been firmly raised on the belief that all people are equal.
Hang on tight to your handbasket, Amy, there may be a lot of us going to hell with you. (I had a neutered male cat who thought he was a mother.)
K
Sharp Little Pencil
Kay, you are truly a sister ally. If more straight people (especially women) got on the damned bandwagon, we’d have marriage equality in America proper… plus universal health care!! But I digress…
Thank you for speaking up, Kay. I love you more with every comment! Amy
on thehomefrontandbeyond
I like the touch of mesquite–a little whimsy with my poem
Sharp Little Pencil
LouAnn, I’m coming over to read yours! Amy
Marian
Love it, Amy. Sing it!
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, babe, I will…
georgefloreswrite
Amy, if there’s someone who I don’t believe will be sent to hell, it’s you! My guess is that more heteros who hate and judge will be sent there over people who were born the way they were. The former is choice and the latter is biology.
Sharp Little Pencil
Too many “straights” are really closeted queens. You don’t see a whole lot of women condemning other women to hell. Men have a basic insecurity about the plumblng, as well as many wondering about… Marcus Bachmann… Justin Bieber… you know? Oh, oh, Tom Cruise!!
Not all heteros who judge are closeted, though. They’re just mean bastards who don’t accept that loving God means unconditional love for all. Bless you, George, for this comment!! Amy
georgefloreswrite
Thanks Amy and bless you too! Thanks for coming on to my page; you always make my day! 🙂
georgefloreswrite
By the way – Oscar Wilde is wicked sexy in that pic! meow!
Sharp Little Pencil
He’s a bundle of fun to be “had by all”!!
oldegg
Gayness is probably a natural phenomenon to regulate our species so we don’t overcrowd the planet! We are not like lemmings and jump over cliffs or spiders that eat our mates we have a very acceptable alternative. Pity it is not acceptable on this overloaded ark.
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, tell it to my sister, ha ha ha. Gays and lesbians have been around since before Old Testament times… and Jesus never said a word about the matter. Those who use Paul’s letters and quote the word “homosexual” are reading from crap translations of the Bible. Jesus was talking about pederasts… using sex as power over young boys. And that cycle continued, although Jesus decried it. Thanks, Robin. I agree, “stop at two” and then adopt! Amy
grapeling
I always liked that Talking Heads line – “heaven is a place where nothing ever happens”. Cool write, Amy ~ M
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Grapeling, and nice to see you again! Heading your way now… A
kaykuala
Oscar is obviously ahead of his times. This is true in both his literary pursuits and choice of leanings. But he should be appreciated more for his talents and brilliance. Still it is a choice that everyone is at liberty to make! Great take Amelita!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Despite Wilde’s brilliance, he was indeed jailed for the newly minted 18602 term, “homosexuality.” Until then, it had not been called anything; there were simply men who were “not the marrying kind,” and those with families who snuck off for a dalliance, or who, like Oscar, carried on very public affairs. He dared the powers that be and lost.
Same can be said for those who live in the States, some states ban homosexual activity of any kind… even sodomy… which many straight couples practice with no worries… And look at Russia! Ah, you got me going, Hank! Amelita
Roger Green
Re hell, I’m rewminded of the Temptations’ song “You Make Your Own Heaven and Hell Right Here On Earth.”
Sharp Little Pencil
Preach it, Temps! Yeah, I agree… Thanks, Rog.
eusebeiaphilos
I like your resistance to their judgments, Amy. Stick with love always. ~e:p
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much for stopping and leaving this lovely comment. I’m going to check and see your blog now! Peace, Amy
coalblack
See you there, Amy sis!
Sharp Little Pencil
Babe, at least the coffee will be hot. Also, the waitstaff!!
Sara v
Amy it’s these types of poems that make me wish I lived next door so I could run over and high five you and hug you. Love your spirit, strength, and wit. Wonderful! ❤
Sharp Little Pencil
You’d be soooo niiiiice to live next to… (paging Cole Porter)
What a great comment, Sara, and I wish we had a cul-de-sac where several of us like-mindeds could meet and converse and drink tea and coffee and… EAT SCONES, yeah… Love you. Amy