On Matters of Equality

On Matters of Equality

‘Oranges,’ she said, 'are superior to apples, far more intelligently evolved. I know; I’ve lived where oranges grow.’

Surely I must have misunderstood her.

‘How can you say that? They’re just different.’

‘Oh,’ she said, ‘I meant how apples are so tasteless, so lacking nutrition ... so nothing’ — her voice carelessly contemptuous.  ‘Oranges are bright, juicy, tangy, strong in Vitamin C. They have a bite. I love them for it.’ (Taking my agreement for granted.)

I was speechless. I mean, I grew up with apples.

I sent an email, a list of links. Let objective facts clarify what I'd been too struck dumb to articulate over the phone. ‘These,' I said, 'are apples which are tasty and nutritionally rich’ – referring her to specific examples of each; adding, ‘Despite apparent differences, fruit is fruit’; elaborating on that. I thought if I explained logically, she must see.

I thought she’d have a bit of a laugh at herself, like, ‘Goodness, silly me!’ And I’d laugh gently with her — because, after all, she couldn't possibly have meant....

Days passed. No response. I realised she must be feeling insulted, hurt.

Meanwhile it was necessary for her to reply to something in an earlier message. She did, saying the right, expected words for that topic. She closed without love or kisses — instead, the farewell she always uses after physical meetings: 'Go well'. So I understood she was saying goodbye. She’d know I wouldn't miss it.

‘Bugger that,' I thought. 'You don’t get rid of me that easily'. It was her birthday a few days later. I sent good wishes, and gratitude for all the good qualities of her birth sign, of which I’ve been on the receiving end these many years.

If her silence was only embarrassment over her remarks, she'd surely answer.

Nothing.

Well, I had to try. Such a long, dear friendship. And never any cause, before, to think she despised apples.

I might have let it slide, it being her. But, just one day before that conversation, I'd made a vow: always to speak up in defence of equality whenever occasion arose. The Universe tests us, when we make a commitment! 

And no, I’m not really speaking of apples and oranges.



I'm always glad and grateful to receive comments on my work, including this, only I don't feel able to respond to anything you may care to say on this (sadly non-fictional) piece.

Shared with Writers' Pantry #30 at Poets and Storytellers United.

Hello Earth #12

Hello Earth #12

Hello dear Earth

Here I am, giving myself permission to break rules if I need to. (Today we are encouraged to do so in our earthellos if we need to.)

Earth, many people have been breaking rules about social distance to protest that Black Lives Matter. I didn’t, because of specific health conditions. I don’t take part in any protests in that way any more – my marching days are past. In the past, I did my share, and would again, if…. Not much of a rule-breaker, I break them when it’s important. 

Leaning in, let me tell you that breaking the rules for writing an earthello is not important to me. I like the form as it is; it allows me room to say what I need within the (few) constraints. As there are many ways for me to affirm that Black Lives Matter. Really it is necessary to take every opportunity. My friend Jennie couldn’t go either, in her town, so she painted the slogan in big black letters on her wire-mesh fence. I don’t have a front fence, and I live in a quiet cul-de-sac devoid of passers-by. So I shall hold it like a question I live inside: How can I live and be in such a way as to stand for the fact that black lives matter? What can I do to further the action so all our behaviours come to reflect that truth? (OK, two questions.)

Listing gratitudes: I am grateful for the strong and beautiful indigenous people I’m blessed to call friends: 13-year-old performance poet Jasmine; activist, poet, matriarch, and grand-daughter of another activist poet, Kaiyu; local elder Deirdre. I’m grateful for powerful indigenous writers: Bruce Pascoe, Jack Davis, Maureen Watson, Oodgeroo Noonuccal; Anita Heiss; Kevin Gilbert; Kerri Shying; Lionel Fogarty; Ruby Langford Ginibi; Sally Morgan and many others (naming the ones I’ve read). I'm grateful that nowadays many white Australians, too, are outraged at the desecration of sacred sites. We have far to go, but we have come a little way.

Offering my commitment to continue living in those questions; to breaking those rules that need to be broken; to giving my words even to uncomfortable truths.


Sharing this at Poets and Storytellers United's Writers' Pantry #24, as a 369-word piece of prose.

Dusk Till Dawn

Dusk Till Dawn

Attention!
Beds are burning.

What’s going on?
What about us?

Exclusive –
for what it’s worth
they don’t care about us
breathin.

Numb,
what do I know?

Get up, stand up!
Give peace a chance.

     *********

Strange midnight,
a sky full of stars …



For Weekly Scribblings #23: By Means Of Music at Poets and Storytellers United, Sanaa invites us to be inspired by particular songs. I put together a found poem of sorts from the list she gave us. In my mind it refers to recent events, and has both meaning and progression. I hope it works that way for readers too!

Hello Earth #8

Hello Earth

Here I am again, sleepy after a day staying in out of the weather, writing and reading. Tomorrow I want to play with my Tarot cards. A friend posted some new spreads I want to try. 

Earth, you will be cold here tonight while I sleep — I hope not cold enough to wake me. I’ll call on the angels to watch over me and those I love. I’ll ask them to watch over you too, Earth, as I don’t think you’re very well at present. 

Leaning in, I seem to hear many voices raised in conflict, complaint, fury and despair. 

Listing gratitudes: I’m grateful that it has become evident world-wide that people of colour suffer justifiable fear on a daily basis — not grateful that this is so, but that the causes can no longer be ignored, glossed over or excused. 

Offering dreams, I plan that they become intentions. How shall intention become fact?