by ~Gregg Rowe~
I have a right
to my own body:
all its sensations
including pain and pleasure.
I have a right
to think
my own thoughts
whatever they may be.
I have a right
to feel the full spectrum
of my emotions:
excitement
joy
anger;
sorrow
depression;
love fear:
I have the right
to feel these feelings
whether or not my feeling them
is acceptable to others.
I have the right
to acknowledge my memories:
whether delightful or abusive
I have the right
to base present
sexual decisions
upon my memories.
I have the right
to be sexual
at all ages and stages
of my life
I have the right
to choose how
I define my sexuality
how I wish to express it
and with whom.
I have the right
to expect that my sexual partner
respects my body
thoughts
emotions
general well-being
I have the right
to insist
on respect for these
if necessary.
I have the right
to say NO
to any sexual encounter
that feels unsafe
unsatisfying
threatening
at any time:
physically
emotionally
spiritually.
I have the right
to say YES
to pleasure that is
physically
emotionally
spiritually safe.
I have the right
to feel good
about saying YES and No
I have the right
not to feel
fear
guilt
obligation
in saying so.
I have the right
to ask
for what I want.
Author notes
Option 1-> Milestones
I am going to be celebrating my 21st birthday this month and I would like to read inspirational poems. I want you to tell me how to live my life in the future. I want your best words of advice. I want you to tell me about how my life might change from now on.
If you do not wish for a "feel good, happy birthday poem--then may I extend to you as a young man at the age of 45 (I have recently celebrated my birthday on March 12, Happy Piscean birthday) some words of advice that I wish someone had given to me when I was turning twenty. At no way am I acting as a preacher with this write, just a teacher who has been there and wished I was wiser.
One year after my HIV+ diagnosis...I needed to rethink my ideology on living a safe, sexual life as a human being.
Written October 27th, 1998
In a list
- HIV and AIDS • next in list
- Mending My Muse • next in list
- Canadian Essays • next in list
- Gregg's Bronze Cups • next in list
A contest entry
- ::Milestones & Legal Eagles (Contest):: by Faded.
350 points, ended March 31, 2005, 10 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 25 of 25
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I haven't read much of your poetry yet but I want to let you know that your story has inspired me. It is in no way the same as mine as a matter of fact your life makes mine look like a trip to Disney Land. But I'm not commenting to compare sorrow. I just want to commend you on your strength. Blessings.
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Faded: I am not against anyone spreading this message around, and woud be more than happy to have the support of the continued success of this message, it seems that this is one avenue that the young people listen to rather than a forty-year old man giving a live testimony on living with the virus. The whole purpose of writing this poem is exactly what you have asked of me which how can a negate a negative to you on that proposal? Thank you for your considerate critique on the poem and I hope you had a happy birthday. Gregg
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First, let me say before discussing the things I lvoed and hated about your poem, that I loved your choice of content. I think that a lot of young people would do well to read this and i would love, if you would let me, to spread this one around. I guess I want to share your message because I feel it to be such an important one.
I enjoyed the way this read as a statment. A bold declaration of things (rights) which we never stop to consider. Sex is such a taboo subject and you have tackled it so well. You've presented everything in bite-size chunks, well-rounded and complete little nuggets.
I am, of course, sorry to hear about what you're going through... but apologies from a stranger are unlikely to mean much. I hope you consider my spreading the word of this poem.
Good luck in the contest,
~Faded -
EditorinChimp: I say it is a poem, and since I am the writer, I can define poetry as i see it fits into my calibre of knowledge on the subject, what is your take on this discussion besides a sentence fragment?. Gregg
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this is a poem, you say?
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applause
breathtaking. i loved this sooo much. amazing write. this is getting a definate bookmark. -
Another wonderful poem!!!
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I have a right
to my own body:
all its sensations
including pain and pleasure
This part really stands out to me because I know people judge because you use your body... what I mean is that if you arent a virgin around here then you sleep around... and this is exactly what I want to tell people around here ... I have the right to do what I want with my body and nothing anyone says is going to stop that belief..
great job
Love
~~~Ashlee~~~ -
I can see years of knowledge and wisdom in this piece, and all the trials and tribulations that were underwent in writing it. As a young, gay man, you give me a hopeful disposition towards my sexuality and insight into homosexual life.
As for poetic attributes of this poem, I'm simply loving your sense of form and space. And though simple your diction is, it is direct and correlative to the flow and form of the piece. Good write; I'll have to read more. -
this is diffrent from all the poems I have read... every one writes about not being excepted and not being respected and you came up with something diffrent.. I like diffrent...
greatjob
Love
Joyus -
I enjoyed the poem, lord. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT!
I sensed a little anger here- maybe because of the repetition. I'm not too crazy over repetition in poetry and I personally wouldn't do it. But you made your point loud and clear. Thanks for the read, Dana -
This is SO true, and I love every word. It should become a mantra for every living person. Much respect.
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To be ripped of one's rights for another's desire is wrong no matter what. You've expressed yourself here very well!
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wow...i love this...so clear, so well written....i am so sorry about your diagnosis, but i am also so glad that you are out there making things better for others, not to mention writing...never stop ever, you are so talented... i loved this part "I have the right
to say NO
to any sexual encounter
that feels unsafe
unsatisfying
threatening
at any time:
physically
emotionally
spiritually." i only wish i had known this and had the strength to assert this at 13 when i was ...well you can guess what a guy would do to a 13 year old girl...brilliant write...keep it up -
A very good poem.. Though It doesnt necessarily fit my theme.. I am still loving in. Especially the whole "Spectrum of Human Emotions" A great line from a movie 'Donnie Darko' If you haven't seen it, please do.. I'd imagine that you would like it. and If u have seen it.. YOU ROCK! haha.l. thank you so much for entering such a beautiful piece of work into my contest. best wishes.. u'll be in my prayers.
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This deserves a thousand applauses, and I wish I could give more than just one.
I agree wholeheartedly with every statement made here. There are some people in this world who think they can just take what they want, which means taht when they see somene they want, they just take their body and use it to their satisfaction, never caring that the person they are violating is not agreeing to their acts.
Bravo to you for being able to find courage to express this.
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One other thing I forgot to add, I greatly admire the strength and apparent courage you seem to maintain throughout such a trial. Keep it up.
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Ooh. It's good to see someone who's so sure of themself, and does things of this nature how they want to, not how others would like them to. Very strong, passionate write, great job.
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Excellent job, Gregg.......sounds like a Bill of Rights, for sure! Cheryl
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Awesome Gregg, yet another great write.
Bravo!
Dove -
We use this in Montreal when we give sessions on safe sex and the rights of people with HIV/AIDS. I started to place it in orientation sessions to volunteers who are just starting out in the community organizations--and it is part of their orientation package and dissemination of information for the past 15 years now
Edited on Apr 12, 11:26 because ''. -
ditto annd's comment
we all have certain rights
and as long as those rights do not infringe upon the rights of others...or put them in harm's way...then no one else has the right to tell us we are wrong.
this should be included in information given to anyone with a + diagnosis...as well as in sex-ed classes in schools...have you thought of sharing it in that regard?
a rambling comment i know...will explain my euphoria via email
take care gregg,
~liz -
A very healthy dispostion to have. Good job.
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Bravo...... I agree totally with every word.
This is something which should apply to everyone
Well spoken.
Ann
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woah, this is so true, and i'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but i'm happy to see that you are thinking safe and trying to spread that message.
Adding your comment:
1 - 25 of 25
17 old applause
