Edin.

 EDIN.

To speak of Eve's beguiling fruits, but fail to see the garden

Rich, wild, and alive in truth 

beyond the rigid vines of society’s facade

They pluck and sample, what mercurial things

While trampling upon the earth which they were birthed.

To cry upon, yet curse the sweet nectar’s taste

Dizzied  under such warm embrace.

The gates are locked, the fruit removed

Yet flavors linger on the tongue

But still the seeds have been planted

From which the garden we have come

Now lie the field of wilted wings and other mercurial things.

I wrote this poem about the hypersexuality of females within the context of the garden of Edin.

seeing me.

 Module 6 submission.

First, I saw disgust.

Vomiting at the mention of me,

Twisted characters and caricatures.

Then, I saw me.

A reflection, a mirror.

A window into another life that was a window into mine.

My mind swirled. Then it clicked.

Could this be me?

A beautiful heart.

A helping hand, a dynamic representation

Of the ways in which I lived, sprinkled here and there,

Surrounded by a story that was so rich and

Full.

Rich and full.

A life that could be mine,

A world that I could find

Whenever I needed it.

Disability Haikus

 

Disability

It’s not a pity, or shame 

Just a human thing

My son, his wheelchair

No, he is not “bound” by it

But made free by it

How does heaven look?

Not abled, “healed” bodies

But disabled joy

 

 

Katie Harmon, she/her

Queer Theory Fall 2023

Siren Song

 Queering The Norm- Explore 3

I wrote this song as a kind of siren song, being seduced by the sea (who is a woman of course). I made it to kind of sound like a love letter, I think it doesn't sound like your typical song. I'm in love with this song...

Here are the words:

To gravel at the grounds of the given,

To cry at the steps of the sea.

If only to be in her presence,

I'd offer my soul to thee.

My lips against hers, 

drowning my thoughts.

My breath is her breath.

My mind, she has caught.

And I'd give all my blood

just for another moment.

Her smile. 

Her lips. 

Her eyes. 

Her face.

What I wouldn't do.

I'd give my heart to you.

I'd die.

Take me in your arms.

Feel your hand in mine.

Take me in your arms.

Mismatched

 My poem for Module 2.

What’s that word again, the one for a

flame-in-the-pit-of-your-stomach, mismatched, words-scratchin-up-the-back-of-your-throat

kinda

queer?

Normal. The final frontier.

The slimy squid tentacles squeezing your sternum

Dagger through the flesh and a quick get-a-way

Do they even want you to stay?

In this world you’ve gotta

Find your own comfort. 

They won’t just give it up,

Not to someone like you.

So it’s a shirt, a crowd, a hand in yours.

A hand on your chest, unlike before.

A hand up, a hand-me-down,

A sign from above and a familiar face.

They want you to know your place.

You’re gotta overcome, find your space.

Normal won’t hold you

When you know who you are.

A star in the sky, a reason to fly.

My Family's Journey Through Disability

 (Based on my personal experiences)

My family's experience has been deeply affected by my youngest sister's diagnosis of meningitis. Meningitis itself is not a disability, but the aftereffects of meningitis can lead to disabilities. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms. My youngest sister, whom we address as “Tiny” was born as a seemingly typical child, but a fateful encounter with a harmful pathogen in the delivery room changed the course of her life. According to medical professionals, she is now considered "not normal." She faces challenges such as difficulty walking, cognitive impairments, and impaired vision, which significantly set her apart from what society deems as “normal”.

This situation made me reflect on a poignant memory from my family's history. I remembered how my great-grandmother had referred to my mother as having given birth to a "freak" child, making my mother cry. This situation perfectly aligns with the perspective discussed by authors like Adams, Rachel, Benjamin Reiss, and David Serlin, who emphasize that the concept of "normal" is not an inherent truth but rather a product of socio-cultural constructs.  My family has endured its share of suffering due to society's construction of what is deemed "normal." There were moments when my mother even considered not taking my younger sister away from home, fueled by her fear of judgment from others. When my sister goes out, to a public place many eyes are focused on her as she cannot walk properly like a “normal” human being. As the eldest sister and the eldest daughter in the family, I have felt a profound responsibility to care for my younger sister, particularly in the event of our parents' absence.

Disability and Queer Studies have provided a critical lens through which to view the normalization processes and socio-cultural constructions of identity. These fields encourage interdisciplinary conversations and challenge the overarching influence of societal norms and expectations on the lives of individuals, including my sister. By embracing the idea that disability is a valuable part of human diversity rather than a deviation from normative standards, I am determined to work towards a more inclusive and equitable society for my sister and others like her.

- Dahara de Silva- 

Shadows of the World

In shadows deep, where normal resides
A whisper will stir in daring strides

To queer the norm, we douse the night

Embracing colors, and infinite light.

Hand in hand we'll face the hate,

With love we'll always find our fate

No boundaries can keep us small,

In this love, we'll conquer all.

In a world of black and white,

We paint our colors, shining bright

Breaking chain, we find our way,

Queering norms, we seize the day. 

No chains of judgement can withstand,

The power of a loving hand,

to queer the norm, we redefine,

The boundaries of the heart and mind.

In every shade of love we see,

The beauty of diversity,

With open minds and hearts so wide,

We'll change the world, side by side.

Queering the Norm

Queering the Norm 

In a world of black and white, we dare to paint in hues,

Queering the norm, we break the chains, refusing to lose.

For norms are but social constructs, strict and confined,

But in our colorful spectrum, a vibrant truth we find.

We are the dreamers, the rainbow's embrace,

In every shade and color, we find our unique space.

For love knows no boundaries, no gender, or race,

In queering the norm, we find our true grace.

With courage in our hearts, we challenge what's routine,

Our differences empower us like a flowing stream.

In unity and love, a common bond we thread,

Queering the norm, we celebrate the colors widespread.

-FV

Saree Spectrum

 

Sarees are popular traditional outfits across many South Asian countries. Personally, I always cherish the elegance they bring to any occasion. Recently, I came across one saree that captivated me for a unique reason. It was not just the intricate design or the delicate fabric that caught my attention, but the vibrant spectrum of colors wrapped in it. I thought the saree was waiting for a conversation to happen full of questions and possibilities. Those lively colors seemed to communicate a message about culture, identity, sexuality, and gender. Amidst this vivid spectrum, the color black seemed to stand out, serving as a reminder of the importance of embracing one's unique self within this restraining world.  As I admired the saree's beauty and its profundity, a curious thought occurred to me: “How many others, like me, are drawn to this saree, seeing it as a symbol of queerness?”

 – Dahara de Silva-