Why I Like Men
By Edith Speers
mainly i like men because they're different
they're the opposite sex
no matter how much you pretend they're ordinary
human beings you don't really
believe it
believe it
they have a whole different language and geography
so they're almost as good
as a trip overseas when life gets dull
and you start looking
for a thrill
for a thrill
next i like men because they're all so different
one from the other
and unpredictable so you can never really know
what will happen from
looks alone
like anyone else i have my own taste with regard
to size and shape and colour
but the kind of style that has nothing to do
with money can make you bet
on an outsider
lastly i guess i like men because they are the other
half of the human race
and you've got to start somewhere
learning to live and let live
with strangers
maybe it's because you if can leave your options open
ready to consider love
with such an out and out foreigner
it makes other people seem
so much easier
I've chosen this poem as a contemporary salute to the very recent International Women's Day, having shared last week a feminist poem of the past. Today's piece is ostensibly very calm, objective and gentle, but if a poem can be poker-faced, this one is.
When I sought permission to post it, Edith asked me why I wanted this particular poem. I replied:
I've always adored your poem's tongue-in-cheek humour — which I find both gentle and devastating, and capable of being read in different ways.
I also thought the internet might be exploding with militant stuff on International Women's Day, and although there's a place for that, I liked the idea of following up this week with something clever and funny, which is equally powerful in its own way. As far as I could see, the internet exploded instead with positive, inspiring stuff, which was great — and I still like this poem for this week. I'd love to have written it!
The Write Stuff tells us:
Born in Canada, Edith Speers studied biochemistry before moving to Australia in 1974. She's a poet, teacher, editor and publisher, and manages Esperance Press, located in Dover, Tasmania. In 2001 was selected as a recipient of the Centenary Medal for community service, offered in conjunction with Australia’s Centenary (1901-2001) celebrations.
You can find several of her poems at this link too.
The AustLit link at her name (above) has a more detailed biography, and notes that her work 'has been described as "feet-on-the-ground" poetry which is open and accessible to the general reader'.
If you google "Edith Speers poet" you'll find a couple of pdf files of some of her poems, which you can read online or download to your computer for later. Her two poetry books, By Way of a Vessel (1986) and Four Quarters (2001) are still available (used) from Amazon — though you perhaps you won't rush to get the earlier one, which is priced as a collector's item at well over $100 USD! Four Quarters is also readily available new at the Esperance Press link for $22 AUD.
Her website gives a complete literary resume as well as other information. For instance she has won a number of awards. There are also further pdf samples of her work, including selections from her books.
On YouTube you can hear Alison Croggon reading Speers's Love Sonnet #9 (as well as poems by Judith Wright and herself. Wright and Croggon have both been featured in 'I Wish I'd Written This'). Well worth a listen!
Since adopting Australia as her second country, Edith Speers has done a great deal to promote the work of other Australian writers. We're lucky in all sorts of ways to have her!
so much easier
When I sought permission to post it, Edith asked me why I wanted this particular poem. I replied:
I've always adored your poem's tongue-in-cheek humour — which I find both gentle and devastating, and capable of being read in different ways.
I also thought the internet might be exploding with militant stuff on International Women's Day, and although there's a place for that, I liked the idea of following up this week with something clever and funny, which is equally powerful in its own way. As far as I could see, the internet exploded instead with positive, inspiring stuff, which was great — and I still like this poem for this week. I'd love to have written it!
The Write Stuff tells us:
Born in Canada, Edith Speers studied biochemistry before moving to Australia in 1974. She's a poet, teacher, editor and publisher, and manages Esperance Press, located in Dover, Tasmania. In 2001 was selected as a recipient of the Centenary Medal for community service, offered in conjunction with Australia’s Centenary (1901-2001) celebrations.
You can find several of her poems at this link too.
The AustLit link at her name (above) has a more detailed biography, and notes that her work 'has been described as "feet-on-the-ground" poetry which is open and accessible to the general reader'.
If you google "Edith Speers poet" you'll find a couple of pdf files of some of her poems, which you can read online or download to your computer for later. Her two poetry books, By Way of a Vessel (1986) and Four Quarters (2001) are still available (used) from Amazon — though you perhaps you won't rush to get the earlier one, which is priced as a collector's item at well over $100 USD! Four Quarters is also readily available new at the Esperance Press link for $22 AUD.
Her website gives a complete literary resume as well as other information. For instance she has won a number of awards. There are also further pdf samples of her work, including selections from her books.
On YouTube you can hear Alison Croggon reading Speers's Love Sonnet #9 (as well as poems by Judith Wright and herself. Wright and Croggon have both been featured in 'I Wish I'd Written This'). Well worth a listen!
Since adopting Australia as her second country, Edith Speers has done a great deal to promote the work of other Australian writers. We're lucky in all sorts of ways to have her!
Poems and photos used in ‘I Wish I’d Written
This’ remain the property of the copyright holders (usually their authors).
on behalf of my gender, I do so appreciate being liked and useful in some small way in keeping your life interesting. Nice work and Rosemary a really good selection.
ReplyDeleteGlad you know your place and your function, Ron! :) Yes, it can read as fairly gentle man-bashing, and I have to admit I think it's fun that way. Then again, it could be read as a lampoon of that attitude.
DeleteThis is actually quite a satisfying write. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAnd, to the men: yes, you are quite Other, but we are fond of you.
Well said!
DeleteI enjoyed this greatly. It must certainly lead to better relationships with men when women recognize--and ask men to recognize--our different but equal status. In the USA the entire month of March is women's history month.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that about March in the USA. What a great idea.
DeleteRosemary, once again you have turned me on to a wonderful poet (besides yourself, that is). Australia is a place I hope to visit - the Sydney Olympics showed the quirky side of folks there, and all the open space must be wonderful. Glad you have adopted the continent. And thanks again for this post. Amy
ReplyDeleteWell it is Edith Speers who has adopted the continent, and yes, I'm very glad she did. I am a dinkum Aussie who was born here. :)
DeletePS The open space is mostly desert and is in the vast, fairly empty centre. The coastal fringe where most people live has its share of crowded cities.
DeleteHa, Rosemary.....I really liked this poem. Indeed men are different; but it would be a boring world if both sexes were the same. Thanks for another 'gem' shared!
ReplyDeleteYou know what they say — some of my best friends are men, lol.
DeleteLovely poem. Will go up on my wall above my desk...
ReplyDeleteMen are a wonderful distraction. Life would be stripped of its joy without them They have inspired all of my best poems. I have loved them my entire life and still I regard myself as a feminist.
Me too. (Smiles.)
DeleteI, too, love the tongue-in-cheek voice in this poem and LOVE that the thought of loving "such an out and out foreigner" makes other people seem easier. Wonderful pick, my friend!
ReplyDeleteYes, isn't that a wonderful, wicked finish!
DeleteThank you for sharing Rosemary! I enjoyed the subtle humor behind the words.
ReplyDeleteThank you for saying so, Gabriella!
Delete