Poem for writerverse
Feb. 5th, 2012 06:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
meridian_roseFor the writerverse challenge prompt 'Platonic Soulmates'.
I found this hard to write, possibly as it's so important a subject to me, and I didn't want to get caught up in the terminology, let alone the justification that platonic relationships are valuable - though some of that comes through. It feels very raw to me, and I may edit it further at a later date - concrit appreciated.
Zucchini is a term used to describe queerplatonic relationship partners - eg 'she's my zucchini'; you can read a bit about it here. In Britain we call the squash in question courgette so it's probably less bizarre a usage to me in the first place :D
Zucchini
Love isn't the same thing as sex.
It isn't about which bit
Of whose anatomy fits into
Someone's else's. Nor how often.
It's about connection.
It's caring about them,
and having them care about you.
It's about shared experiences and in-jokes
It's about being both compatible and alike,
And complementary in your differences.
There might be hugging – or not.
Because love respects personal boundaries
And this relationship
Based on mutual trust and understanding
Something that's more than friendship
But isn't sexual in nature
That's loving but not in the obvious
Hallmark One True Way of romantic love
Can outlast pure passion that has no such foundation
And is just as relevant
And important
And wonderful
To the people involved
As any other relationship.
I found this hard to write, possibly as it's so important a subject to me, and I didn't want to get caught up in the terminology, let alone the justification that platonic relationships are valuable - though some of that comes through. It feels very raw to me, and I may edit it further at a later date - concrit appreciated.
Zucchini is a term used to describe queerplatonic relationship partners - eg 'she's my zucchini'; you can read a bit about it here. In Britain we call the squash in question courgette so it's probably less bizarre a usage to me in the first place :D
Zucchini
Love isn't the same thing as sex.
It isn't about which bit
Of whose anatomy fits into
Someone's else's. Nor how often.
It's about connection.
It's caring about them,
and having them care about you.
It's about shared experiences and in-jokes
It's about being both compatible and alike,
And complementary in your differences.
There might be hugging – or not.
Because love respects personal boundaries
And this relationship
Based on mutual trust and understanding
Something that's more than friendship
But isn't sexual in nature
That's loving but not in the obvious
Hallmark One True Way of romantic love
Can outlast pure passion that has no such foundation
And is just as relevant
And important
And wonderful
To the people involved
As any other relationship.
no subject
Date: 2012-02-05 06:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-05 07:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-05 07:51 pm (UTC)There might be hugging – or not.
Because love respects personal boundaries
And this relationship
Based on mutual trust and understanding
Something that's more than friendship
I like what you say here about boundaries - respecting someone is so important.
That link about the zucchini thing was really interesting. Thanks for sharing :)
no subject
Date: 2012-02-05 07:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-06 12:32 pm (UTC)Of whose anatomy fits into
Someone's else's. Nor how often.
I really like this part! :D
...the justification that platonic relationships are valuable...
The mere thought that it needs justification is just... O_o
unthinkable.
Are things really that bad out there?
tw - rape
Date: 2012-02-06 01:09 pm (UTC)Yes, things are bad. If you want to get upset, google 'sexless marriage' and see how vicious people get when the idea that people can love each other without sex coming into play. There was a recently vile article criticising an asexual woman and her boyfriend - one of the commentators said she needed to be fucked to death. Somehow people are incredibly threatened by the idea that relationships can be formed without sex.
Re: tw - rape
Date: 2012-02-06 01:50 pm (UTC)What do other people care what is or isn't going on in other people's beds as long as it's consensual and doesn't harm anyone around?
I just don't get some things...
Re: tw - rape
Date: 2012-02-06 02:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-09 08:35 pm (UTC)"There might be hugging – or not.
Because love respects personal boundaries
And this relationship
Based on mutual trust and understanding
Something that's more than friendship
But isn't sexual in nature"
Ma fav fragment!
no subject
Date: 2012-02-09 08:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-02-09 08:50 pm (UTC)PLS Write more poems!
no subject
Date: 2012-02-09 08:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-03 01:49 am (UTC)Not only are romantic/sexual relationships glorified in our society, but the platonic relationships that are valued are those between men. Just look at all the male "buddy" movies where woman, if they are included at all, are just ornaments.
And I hate the trope, still very prevalent, that women can't be platonic friends with each other, because we are jealous and back-stabbing by our very nature.
This really spoke to me. Well - done!
no subject
Date: 2012-03-03 05:36 pm (UTC)