by ~Gregg Rowe~
They told me as i sat
in the chrome hospital chair
that squeaked when I sat
that I should refrain from
having sex
back in 1987
Or at least
to re-learn sex
watching films on the birds and bees
pollinate with flowers
Safe sex is my
responsibility
like driving a car
without the use of a
frigging cell phone
hands free
orgasm
It is not the other
person's responsibility
to divulge information
like the health department
in Ontario did
by notifying WHO
Nor it the responsibility
of the man who
RAPED me
at the age of twenty-five
not my paedophile father
nor the incestuous baby-sitter
whose cunt I was forced to lick
because she was to lazy
to bathe it herself
It is my responsibility
to disclose to future
potential sexual partners
about my new status
as a survivor
And then in the same breath
that killed me erotically
they whisper with love
that I should not be
ASHAMED
as i sit twice a week
in a psychologist office
to get my head
screwed on straight
while i dream
of escaping to Wreck Beach
like when I was nineteen
and disrobe
to feel the warm wind on my
naked torso
as I learned
about solitude
and sunbathing on
pistachio rocks
Author notes
Written April 13th, 2004
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1 - 12 of 12
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The cards that we are delt ,you started with a bad hand but wow how you have played the game and given so much of yourself to help others .You are insperational and your poetry well I am amazed , Well be reading a lot more of your work , I love Betty boob too .Thanks for looking in to my stuff and comenting .
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Your words are so powerful! Your words are much like the background you chose, falling, yet reaching upward and soaring. I like the way you are blunt, with a touch of vulgarity. Because that is exactly what it is, a vulgar assault upon our soul. Unfortunately,that even in this day and age, there are those of us who still walk about this earth without a conscience and the rest of us must suffer the consequence. As uncomfortable as it is to my boys, I am extremely blunt about sex and their responsibility towards it. Wonderful writing....I will definately be reading more ~Michelle~
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Gregg, life has dealt you some terrible blows, to be abused as you have and still come out a strong person. You have a right to have a sex life just as anyone else has, knowing you I know you would never be irresponsible. You have delivered a very positive message to others in similar situations-Jennifer
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Gregg,
I don`t know what to say about this. This is the first time I have seen any of your work, and about your story. This poem has made me well-up. I am a gay man, and HIV scares the living hell out of me. Reading your story, your words, it`s so inspiring. I am in awe of your courage. I hope you are well, and I will keep reading your other work.
Peter (benson) -
i always love your work, you should never be ashamed...one of my friends is a survivor and he never thought of it that way until i introduced him to your work...he's goin on his third year and still hasn't come to terms with his curse...i always love your work gregg, i scold myself for not reading more often...great write, dear sir, great write.
pride,
caity -
Michelle: I hope that with my writings you go away with strength, the strength that I wrote them with for others who have had similar experiences as myself, that is my main purpose in writing...to show the reader that there is a way out, sometimes the journey is difficult but there is always a reward waiting for you when you overcome the obstacle, the ability to look inward and reclaim yourself. Gregg
Edited on Aug 19, 8:46 p.m. because ''. -
Gregg,
You words touch me like no one else's has before. It's so sad hearing about the things you've gone through in life. What makes it harder is a lot of the things you've mentioned here I've gone through myself. You are so strong; I admire you. If only I could be that strong. You are a great person from what I can gather, and an incredible poet.
Michelle -
Your poetry is excellent and you're a very strong person. I lost my uncle to aids, so you and your writes really touch me on a deep level.
Take care,
Audrianna -
Abuse makes me angry and sick too. I have too many scars that I still see every day, but anyway. Your strength is admirable and I too am glad you are a survivor.
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Wow. That is very revealing and totally tragic. Like mystysaint I am glad that you are a survivor. It's so easy to bow down in anger and play the blame game and so much harder to accept things as they are now and move on with your life.
I will pray for you for hope and strength.
God bless,
Absinthe
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Wow .. ya know, I'm the type who gets angry hearing about abuse..though I know it is useless in many ways ...you are a survivor and that is what matters.. so I'll put my anger aside. I am GLAD you are a survivor ..and glad to be learning who you are through your poetry ..hope to have many more chances
I'm keepin up, and have added you to my fave list (a rare thing 
)
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I really don't know what to say...this is kind of disturbing, not the poem itself, it was written beautifully...just the content rather...makes me sad...anyway great job and thanks for sharing...
take care
-Stac-
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