"i am a homosexual wiccan," he said the first time we met,
in the middle of the park.
the trees did not leave, nor the sun stand still, though
i think he thought they would
my only response was, "and..."
and his, "and what..."
"well there has to be more than that."
and he was taken aback, because he had accepted
the line where most people stopped
got scared, or left and that is where our friendship began.
written for imperfect prose and theme thursday.
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118 comments:
I love your response and how you were obviously called to be someone to him that no one else had it in him/her to be.
.. definition of a friend. There to the end. Nice, Brian!!
How can you be so non-judgmental? ... Actually, I have learned much from you in the 4 years I have known you. You are one of the good ones.
It is so sad when they do leave because they lose out on so much. But what goes around comes back to bite you in your butt. Truly it is what is inside that counts.
Thanks for playing in this weeks Inside Theme Thursday. Your choice was illuminating.
God bless.
bravo.
being honest with oneself and one's shortcomings is crucial to obtain true friendship at times.
He is lucky to speak to you.
You are a good one to have.
You've hit it right on the dot. So many stop all contact and conversation at that point. Well played. God bless.
tweeting and Fb this one.
... oh, if only we could clone you Brian ... the world needs more people who are so open, inclusive and non-judgmental.
There's nothing quite like peeling the labels off another human being and simply acknowledging the container- the canvas- the person. For who they are and who they are not, for who we are. Together, we are More.
A line in the sand is just as easily erased with toes and game of tag... thanks for showing us, Brian.
Nice work!
Love this! We need more tolerance in the world.
i'm always grateful for people who can see 'beyond' ... you are one of them Brian!
It is so easy to make friends we like to spend time with when we stay open for the end of the sentence. I used to be very very shy but once I blossomed I knew to wait for the end of the sentence and see what developed. Nicely done Brian there is a lesson here we all need to be reminded of especially in the hurry up season that is upon us now.
Reposting this for sure. Love this God Bless!
"and . . " Your offer of friendship continues the conversation. Reminds me of Jesus.
You are a good one Brian, I like that...and...yes we need more Brians in the world. smiles
It is what lies beneath the labels that matters.
True friendship always looks deeper and embraces a soul just as they are.
Love love love this!
Ah, what a perfect response, Brian. I hope I'll remember to use that myself. Who likes to be pigeon-holed into a stereotype? There is always more to discover about each other.
sometimes you remind me of bruce willis..there's just nothing that can bring you out of balance easily..you are always so cool and so warm-hearted at the same time...good mixture brian miller..i fell honored to have met you..
And indeed
Same color we all bleed
So who really cares about the other stuff
That would put many in a huff
Who are we to be judgemental of others. We don't have to agree with everyone's lifestyle choices in order to be friends and accept others. After all, shouldn't we meet people where they are, just as the Lord does with us. Only then can we let the Light and Truth shine through.
I love this and love your response. How can we dare to judge another? You are a good person, Brian. Yeah!
Good response. Eliminate the shock value of the statement. :)
That was so powerful. It's sad that a lot of people shy away when they're uncomfortable with something. The acceptance in this short story is brilliant.
Bravo to you. You are a very special person.
As if it mattered who the wicca called his better half...yes, I quite liked this on Brian!
Sandi
Hi! Brian...
Words that came to my mind after reading your post...Non-judgement, caring, kind, sincere, expected, from the poet, Brian, and true friend.
Thanks, for sharing!
deedee ;-D
Nice one, Brian. Sometimes I think people say things like that because they've been shunned so often in the past and sometimes it's just for shock value. Either way, your reaction was perfect, and you made a friend. So many people lose out because they can't see past labels.
well done Brian..thanks for this
What a friend you are to have too!
The last thing anyone wants, be they gay or not, is to be judged for who and what they are. always knew you were a nice bloke!
Good on yer mate ;)
I like that!
Outstanding ... and this is how it should be.
The greatest gift we can give people, sometimes, is not to be shocked. I find this especially true with my children.
=)
Love it. Simple and powerful.
Perfect! You are the kind of friend he needed, obviously. Good story... filled with lots of things not said. :-)
Love your answer...you lead him to go on. Sounds like someone I would like to meet.
Ordinary folks are ever so BORING.
Cheryl
Nice. I often find that interesting people make the best friends, and they aren't often much like you at all - which is what makes them so interesting!
I love this! I always say I have the most unique and lovable friends. That's what makes the world a wonderful place.
If only there were more people like you.
Nice job.
jj
That's awesome.
A safe loving place...isn't that who Jesus is...
Blessings as you are a good friend to one who needs true friendship...
I think you must know how to breathe deep. I think you must know how to be. For there is such wisdom in your words and fearlessness in your glance.
I had to put my spoonful of peanut butter down to type one thing...
:)
(That would be me grinning big at the awesomeness of this post.)
he must have let out a deep breath. knowing that was out of the way, and he could move on. Move on to himself...perhaps he had even forgotten there was more to himself, one who is so used to being judged on just two things. To discover, with you for a friend...
You knew there was a whole lot more to him, than the two words he used to introduce himself.
I know he found in you a very understanding friend :-)
Can you BE "a wicca"? One practices Wicca. One IS a Wiccan. As for homosexuals, you've got to watch them. ;-)
you have such a beautiful soul... beyond beautiful. i loved reading this. will share.
and that is why we are walking the same path.
hand in hand.
lovely... you do a lot with few words and I love it!!! :)
brilliant, and perfect
Excellent response.
Beautiful! This piece flows naturally and easily to the closing line. Thanks.
Namaste........cj
I've met a few gay witches--they are good people, but the tattoos---man!
Seriously, like it matters...you are the voice of sanity in the asylum, bri--and that's a scary thought.
Beautiful. What we are is not who we are.
I once worked with a wiccan, she was different for sure but I liked her. I found her very loyal and an excellent worker....:-)Hugs
I love this more than I can say! Outstanding, Brian!
:) perfect and awesome!
The times they are a-changin'. Hopefully the day will comewhen pepople are judged on who, and not what, they are. If someone is a good person, nothing else should matter.
It's so great that you welcomed him with a simple "and ..." That's what Christ would have done. Thanks, Brian, for the thought-provoking and "action"-provoking prose, once again!
Awesome! And thought-provoking. We should all aim to be more accepting.
Simply and aptly said.
Wow. SO good.
:-) made me smile
...and - big deal! What a disappointment when you didn't react? No, relief I think! So nice to read this, Brian.
Nice one Brian..:))
Good to be here after such a long gap..:)
Blessings!
Sam..
I just kind of knew you might react this way.
Well done...
Brilliant! That's a friend to treasure, I can tell you that :)
Cheers...
Brilliant!
There but for the grace of God go I ... therefore who am I to judge. It is the only way to react and you told the tale beautifully.
Anyone who adds wiccan to their description peaks my curiosity.;) The most interesting people are the unusual ones.;)
Great post dear friend, as usual, you do wonders with just few words.;)
Happy December dear Brian,
xoxo
It's not an issue in Holland whether one is gay or not, that is unless you are out with them on a date - LOL. If one approached me saying such words as your friend did to you my first thoughts would have been wondering why he was on the defence with me. What does his personal life and beliefs have to do with me other than to argue our differences over a pint of beer or cup of coffee?
I have known people like this, though, because of being in the arts all my life; and the profession draws in all sorts from both liberal and conservative to moderate backgrounds. I admittedly am more comfortable around others with moderate agendas who don't flash in my face their beliefs and sexual preferences, especially when first encountering them. Nor do I get a rise out of talking about angels, auras and demons under rocks. Rather, I'm more drawn to creative expressionists in all forms as well as the humanitarians of this world. One with such an immediate agenda as your friend, I have found in my experience, is often one with more self-interest than not. So, sorry to disagree with many of your friends here, but I would tend to shy away from someone initially addressing me like this. In other words, I don't need to know.
and...you are a wonderful non-judgmental human being and talented at that, I love what you write, always
Interesting a similar event happened over Thanksgiving with my 2nd cousin who wanted to make sure over and over again that everyone was okay with his homosexuality. He seemed disappointed that we didn't care (in the good way, not the bad way).
catfish i hear you...and in many cases it can be the self interest that drives people to live behind their labels. and being around one so self interested can be hard as well.
where i would argue is the need not to know. i think relationships are all about knowing and being known and for them i know it was important to be accepted for who they were not for who other wanted them to be, but also they were def stuck in those definitions...
A stunning economy of words!! On several levels...
And?? (smiling here)
Hugs
SueAnn
You’ve been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award…thank you for being an insightful blogger!
http://neelthemuse.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/versatile-blogger-award/
Succinctly told and powerfully. This says all that it is necessary to say.
It doesn't matter does it. It's what's inside that counts. Great post, Brian.
CJ x
Nicely written. It's amazing how easily we box ourselves in by giving us (or allowing others to give us) labels.
Great non-judging response. I am sure that meant a great deal to someone who was used to being judged.
Love this..so many expect rejection because that has been the pattern thus far for them...you were a surprise and joy for him
Powerful ending... love it.
Strong message Brian. Good listeners are a rarity today. It is common for folks to tune out once they here one thing that may be difficult to accept.
Keep encouraging us to strive for more than following the masses.
Was it guilt on his part that he was defensive and taken aback? Unusual encounter! Great verse!
Hank
that taught me a lot about staying grounded when the crazy comes around.
Being open and accepting of the differences...really neat, Brian!
Yep! It's inside that counts - not labels...♥
It´s so nice to have a good friend!
Yeah, this one is almost perfect Brian. Right on.
You astound me with the level of depth you can express with such simplicity. Lovely Brian.
Lovely.
Wonderful perspective, it seems an old jail.
I do appreciate the meaning and message behind your poem. Most people have "stereotypes", rightly or wrongly. But I have learn to withhold my judgement and tongue until I get to know the person really well.
I believe we have all been on both sides of that ephemeral line. -J
abruptly astute...you are
Peace
Love it. Wish everyone could be more like that!
You are a rare bird Brian. You offered your friendship, we all should show that kinda love for others.
God bless ya Man!!! :o)
I am thinking you have led an extrodinary life!
:) now I want to know what was more
awesome building on the picture too!
I relate well to this, having grown up where I did, with the type of neighbours I had. There always was more to it than their label and a person just had to be open enough to find it. I'd much rather think of people in terms of 'who' they are rather than 'what' they are, as long as they are willing to let you in far enough.
i am standing up and cheering this one on! wooot!!!!! LOVE it. love the love. :)
Standing ovation for this one, Brian. Love it.
Love this encounter -- and the photo is amazing.
Homosexual wiccans are so passée these days.
Everybody knows that its the bisexual Rastafarians are where its at! ;D
important message .. well done!
important message .. well done!
This short piece really speaks to your own ability to see past stigmas and to really see each as their own beings. It also has much to teach everyone. As usual you amaze me with your humanity. It's a great thing to read and something missed when unable to. Thanks
Nice poem. Interesting. Surprising. Good images to propel the reader along.
Something worth saying.
I had a prof who always asked us (about each poem)--is this important?
This one is.
Brian, I love this poem! And I have the utmost respect for YOU to keeping the doors wide open to friendship, for not backing away from relationships, for welcoming those who many might reject!
What was that game show where the contestants clap and yell, "GOOD ANSWER!"? That's what I'm doing!
I like that. :)
First line totally caught my attention! The ending made me happy. Love the acceptance.
Nonjudgemental people are my favorite kind of people :) this was really nice, Brian
People are commending you for being non judgmental; I would have said well done for calling him out on his foolish, limited pride....
beautiful mindset.
what a nice little story. says a lot about you (in a positive way)
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