Tim’m offers commemorative chapbook: “Love In Full Color”
Posted in Uncategorized on September 24th, 2008 by timmwestIn an effort the make arts make sense and bring awareness to Marriage Equality (not so much gay “marriage” as securing ALL the rights that come with marriage), I have created a chapbook that will have its debut on Friday. “Love in Full Color” will include select works from Red Dirt Revival, BARE, and Flirting, but will also include new and unpublished work. For those who especially appreciate the writing about love and romance, this collection is for you. Proceeds from sale of the book will go to fight anti-gay legislation. We are working to Vote Against Prop 8 CA, which seeks to ban same-sex marriage for eternity. Details on fund-raising party on 9/26 and title poem (new) below :
“Get Engaged” Marriage Equality House Party
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2008
6-8pm appetizers and wedding cake
At Maria Corral-Ribordy’s house, 1917 S Street, Eureka
Supporting Marriage Equality, Celebrating Susan and Karen’s engagement, Raising funds (and awareness) for the No on 8 Campaign, and Generating letters to local papers and everyone we know in California to urge a No vote on 8. (which seeks ban same-sex marriage for eternity)
Below is the title poem for the collection:
Love in Full Color
(for Dave Jones-West)
love the way love looks
in full color.
him close to me,
me happier for it
warms the nights
when clock-ticks decelerate
lose rhythm
unbecome the music
pushing time along
and distance shortens these arms
that hold myself with urgency
for missing him
he is the color of love
on blue days
we brown boys
both hue-men
deepening friendship
classic like sepia tones
and there are those
thinking blackmale is criminal
violently insubordinate
lazily thick by pedigree
who would prefer
death on our faces
rather than smile
strange fruit
rather than orchids we bare
with kiss, and fuss and make-up
love being abominable
explains
the excess of greed and death
so to those who’d deny
colored boys this rainbow
we remain violently insubordinate
in action
the agency of poll
our public display
for we are healing the world.
we grow thick and lazy
with joy and full-bellies
for all our arduous work provides
for our family to enjoy.
we exploit the color
of love
till it bleeds a freedom
not yet afforded…
knowing our joy is no less
when hate dismisses
commitment
ceremonies
rituals we enact
each day we wake
like millions to say
perhaps without words
codified as vow
but with no less purpose
than our reciprocal smiles…
“i do”
accomplished