TresSugar

Where the Sidewalk Bends? Shel Silverstein's Dark Side

TresSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:00:00 -0700

Am I the last person to learn that prolific children's poet Shel Silverstein had another life as a writer of decidedly adult content? Feels like it! Besides writing Johnny Cash's hit song "A Boy Named Sue," he started his career at Playboy, where he continued to contribute until his death.

To me, his poems were the epitome of childhood simplicity and playfulness. So, I was surprised to read one of his lesser-known poems, "The Perfect High." With Silverstein's trademark couplets beating like nursery rhymes, the tale of Gimmesome Roy searching for the perfect high reads like a twisted parody of his children's poems. Here's my favorite part of the poem:

"What's happening, Fats?" says Roy with joy, "I've come to state my biz.
I hear you're hip to the perfect trip. Please tell me what it is.
For you can see," says Roy to he, "that I'm about to die,
So for my last ride, Fats, how can I achieve the perfect high?"

"Well, dog my cats!" says Baba Fats. "here's one more burnt-out soul,
Who's looking for some alchemist to turn his trip to gold.
But you won't find it in no dealer's stash, or on no druggist's shelf.
Son, if you would seek the perfect high - find it in yourself."

Did you know about Shel's, um, versatility? Are you surprised?

William Shatner Reads Palin's Tweets - I Mean, Poems

TresSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0700

It appears that these writers aren't the only ones who think Sarah Palin is a poet. Conan O'Brien proclaims she is a master of free verse because of her creative use of language. Conan recently invited the one and only William Shatner onto his show to recite her farewell speech, then brought Shatner back on Wednesday to recite her Tweets. With a bongo player and bass player as background, you can almost imagine being in a smoke-filled, Beatnik dive in the '50s . . .

Sarah Palin: Poet?

TresSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:00:00 -0700

No matter how you feel about Sarah Palin, you have to admit the woman has an awfully strange way of expressing herself. I've heard her tortured syntax and odd word choices described as a "word salad," but one writer goes further. Palin's speech is likened to a verbal Armageddon because of her unique ability to turn a simple idea into near incomprehensible gobbledygook.

Hart Seely has taken these mangled forms and rakishly proclaimed them found poetry. The simple idea, "small town mayors are on the front lines," once Palinized, sounds like this:

You know,
Small mayors,
Mayors of small towns-
Quote, unquote-
They're on the front lines.

Writing composition masters Strunk and White may not have approved of Palin's use of language ("Omit needless words" was their mantra, after all), but writer Julian Gough facetiously agrees that Sarah Palin is an accidental poet. "A great poet needs to leave open the door between the conscious and unconscious," he says. "Sarah Palin has removed her door from its hinges."

Do you think a politician needs to be articulate, or do you think these folks are just being unfair to Palin?

Oh Snap! After 341 Years, First British Female Poet Laureate

TresSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Poet Carol Ann Duffy talks to the media after being announced as the new poet laureate by Culture Secretary Andy Burnham in Manchester, England. Duffy is the first female (and lesbian and mother) to be given the post since it was created 341 years ago, when John Dryden was the first recipient.

To check out a Carol Ann Duffy poem and links to more of her work, read more.

Words, Wide Night
by Carol Ann Duffy

Somewhere on the other side of this wide night
and the distance between us, I am thinking of you.
The room is turning slowly away from the moon.

This is pleasurable. Or shall I cross that out and say
it is sad? In one of the tenses I singing
an impossible song of desire that you cannot hear.

La lala la. See? I close my eyes and imagine the dark hills I would have to cross
to reach you. For I am in love with you

and this is what it is like or what it is like in words.

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Residents of Lesbos, Greece, Want Their Name Back

LibertySugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:00:50 -0700

Residents of the Greek island of Lesbos have brought a lawsuit against a Greek gay rights group, alleging that the term "lesbian" is an insult to the homeland.

The lawyer representing the three Lesbos plaintiffs says that the group's name - the Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece - "causes confusion by using a geographic term" in connection with social action. The island does not want to be associated with the group's "special character."

It seems the islanders have a seriously uphill battle to fight if they are trying to reclaim the term "lesbian" as a geographical moniker. The ancient female poet Sappho, who hailed from Lesbos, lent the name of her hometown island to female-loving females, as much of her poetry celebrated love between women. Considering travel to Lesbos is popular among the world's gay community, it might be in the island's economic interest to embrace its homosexual association.

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William Shatner Is Back For Some More Wasilla Poetry

TresSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:20:00 -0800

As you all know, I've been following the prolific tweeting of Levi Johnston (or the person who pretends to be Levi Johnston!). His 140-character musings are sometimes offensive, sometimes funny, and consistently random. You might also remember that master of spoken word recitation William Shatner went on Conan O'Brien's show a while back to read Sarah Palin's Twitter poetry. Well in an effort to be fair, Conan invited Shatner back - but this time to read Levi's tweets. Check out the video and tell me who should take the crown of Alaska's most poetic twitterer?

The Obamas Host a Poetry Slam

TresSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:05:00 -0700

Last night the first couple, students from Washington DC universities, and performers like James Earl Jones gathered for an evening of poetry, music, and the spoken word. Whitehouse.gov explained that the event was designed to show how dialogue is important in every aspect of who we are as Americans and as human beings.

The busy Obama administration is making time for a little culture. Yesterday 50 grassroot community art groups gathered at the White House to discuss opportunities available through the federal government. Obama's so-called "hipster in chief," Yosi Sergant, said the meeting demonstrated the president's commitment to both art and community organizing.

To see more photos from last night, read more.

View 9 Photos ›

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Ask a Gay Woman: I'm Bisexual - How Do I Come Out?

TresSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:00:00 -0700

Conventional Wisdom is a different kind of advice column. Your questions will be answered by people from all walks of life rather than by advice experts. If you have a question you'd like answered on Conventional Wisdom, you can submit it here.

This week, an out and proud gay woman helps a 16-year-old girl figure out how to come out. After you read her answer, be sure to check out TrèsSugar's Lesbian and Bisexual Support Group in the community, as well as TrèsSugar's Group Therapy group where I found this question.

Today's question: "I'm a 16-year-old girl who's currently in a relationship with a boy. I'm taking college classes along with my high school ones, and I have poetry that's published. People tell me everyday that I'm gorgeous and absolutely amazing. My downfall? If they knew I was bisexual, I would be alone. I've come out to three of my gay friends, but that's it. I was voted most optimistic for favorites, but people don't know how really miserable I am. I'm in love with a girl, and I want to give myself to her completely. To kiss her, to hold her. But I don't want to be hidden, and I don't want to lose everything I have. HELP ME, I'M BEGGING. Signed, Tormented."

To hear what a gay woman has to say, read more.

Dear Tormented,

I know what you are going through is hard and scary. When I was growing up I felt very confused about the intense feelings I had for other girls, and I couldn't even admit to myself that I was bi or gay, let alone anyone else. So first and foremost I just want to say that you are very strong and brave to admit these feelings to yourself and reach out. Please don't take your fear as a sign that you can't handle this - if you couldn't handle it I think you would have buried it way down and not even bring it up as a possibility. There are a few different things about your worries that I want to address:

First, before you decide how to handle your feelings about this other girl, you have to figure out your feelings for your boyfriend. Do you really want to be with him? Or are you just being with him because it is safe and simple? It is too hard to figure out how you are feeling about your sexuality and the girl you say you are in love with if it is all wrapped up with shame and secrecy about possibly cheating on the person you are dating. If you know deep down that it is someone else and not him you want to be with, then break up with him. You don't have to tell him all the details of why you are ending it - just that it isn't working for you right now. Then you can have some space and time to think through the issue of your bisexuality without the anxiety of betrayal.

Secondly, I am not sure exactly what kind of community and family you are living in, so it is hard for me to address how real your concerns are that you will lose "everything." It sounds like you have some gay friends, which means people are out in your community and you have some support, so I think you should consider that maybe after the initial shock this wouldn't be as devastating as you think. Definitely it is still not the total norm, but living in fear that you won't be accepted is making you miserable, so I am not sure that finding out that certain people will be fine with it and others won't be could be that much worse. But I think you need to talk to some people you trust to help you figure out how to best handle your specific situation. If there is a gay and lesbian community center in your town you could get some confidential advice from someone. There are also some good websites: Sex Etc. (a website about sex run by and for teens) and this Planned Parenthood teen talk blog.

The most important thing is to know that you are absolutely not alone with this, that a lot of people go through this, that you will be OK, and that there is a lot of support for you out there.

Signed,

A Gay Woman

Celebrity Underwear Museum - Hilarious or Horrifying?

TresSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:30:00 -0700

If you're in Brussels, Belgium anytime soon, you might want to check out the recently opened "Musee du Slip" or in English, the celebrity underwear museum! Artist Jan Bucquoy has been collecting the undergarments of famous people for some time now, and he's finally decided to share them with the world.

In the collection faded blue boxer shorts from Belgium's finance minster sit next to a G-string from classic porn star Brigitte Lahaie. All underwear must have been worn by the person for at least one day. There are also photos of people like Nicolas Sarkozy or Margaret Thatcher with underwear superimposed on their heads. Bucquoy explains his vision:

"I want to create poetry with everyday things by putting them in a different context. I say underpants are art. Put them in a frame and create a new way of looking at the world."

Do you like his idea of art?

Do You Write in a Journal?

TresSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0700

I've written in a journal (what I decided to call my diary after the 5th grade!) since I was a wee girl. I'd write poetry, observations about classmates, and complaints about life in general. (I was way Emo.)

If I stacked all the journals I've kept since I started, they would reach the ceiling. I love Meade's wide ruled notebooks (my life tends to go well in blue journals, as opposed to yellow ones), and I have to use a gel ink pen.

A journal can be so many things - a place to write reminder notes to yourself, to analyze stuff that's going on in your life, and just generally practice writing. I remember telling someone once who asked if I were a writer, "Not really - I just write daily in my journal," and the person said, "If that's not writing, what is? Only writers would do that!"

Sometimes it’s fun to go back and look at what was occupying your mind in the past, and to see how far you’ve come. Have you ever written in a journal, or do you still?

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