QUILTBAG Poetry: Ancient poems affect a modern girl

[alee_grrl]

My first real introduction to QUILTBAG poetry actually came from my college Latin class. Our second semester of Latin II was largely spent translating poetry, and our main focus was on the works of Catullus. Catullus wrote largely about and to those around him. He wrote frequently about sex and intimacy with both women and men. His poems can be romantic in nature, as seen in "Passion: to Iuventius". Some of his poems are more erotic, like "Yesterday: to Licinius Calvus". In other poems, Catullus using his poetry as a weapon full of cutting insults and lewd commentary. One of his more ribald poems is "A Rebuke: to Aurelius and Furius" (warning: contains language that may not be safe for work).

College was also the first time I had regular access to the internet, and shortly after my introduction to Catullus I found the works of Sappho, a well known Greek poet from the Isle of Lesbos. One of my favorites of her poems is "Please". Another is this untitled one.

I don't remember which particular poems we translated in that class, though if I recall correctly some of the more ribald ones were included. Nor do I remember precisely when I found the works of Sappho. What I do remember, what still resonates now, is that startling realization that different sexual orientations had been around for a really long time. This was startling for a girl who went through her teenage years in the rural south, surrounded by the philosophies that would result in DOMA and Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

A set of ancient poems opened my mind and heart to a set of possibilities I had been terrified to even contemplate. I started to accept that my differences were not defects, as I had been taught. Being different wasn't a bad thing, and didn't make me the devil incarnate. Those parts of me that were different weren't broken, and didn't need to be fixed. It is amazing what a little bit of poetry can do.

This has been a fabulous week and I thank all the wonderful people who hosted and all those who have participated in the comments. We've had some truly great posts and some amazing poetry to enjoy.