Posted by Lionheart on January 25, 1999 at 11:43
In Reply to: A poem. posted by CASSIE on January 24, 1999 at 23:38
Hi, Cassie!
I really identified with your poem. please permit me, though, to make an observation or two.
I've realized for many years, beginning in childhood, that I was "different" because of my interest. Until I was in college, I truly feared that I was the only one who was interested in what we all share. Thankfully, I found out that, although I was different than what the mainstream population is in terms of fetishes, I was most definitely not alone, and I was thankful for that revelation. Years later, with the advent of the internet, we can now reach out and, if not in person, at least in words let each other know we are here and we understand and accept.
Your poem touches on many of the thoughts and feelings I felt as I came to terms with this interest.
Yes, I'm different:
I respect my parents;
I never got anyone pregnant in high school;
I never messed with drugs;
I don't beat my wife or kids or pets;
I can't come close to saying it as well as you did in your poem, so I won't try to. You've said it quite eloquently for all of us, regulars and lurkers alike.
But Cassie, also realize that our fetishes and kinks do not make us monsters. That's a pretty harsh term to apply to ourselves just because we have a different side that mainstream society can't recognize or accept.
Monsters beat their families.
Monsters deliberately inject their children with HIV.
Monsters kill other people for initiation into gangs.
Monsters sexually abuse children.
Monsters steal life savings from the elderly.
No way does our fetish make us, or you, a monster. Different, yes. Rare, probably. I would also argue that many, hopefully most of us, have an inner sensitivity to others and an acceptance of each other that we might not ordinarily have. I can't prove it, but I think it's there. (That might be a good subject for a serious thread.)
I was known as a quiet kid growing up and also as a soft-spoken adult by just about everyone I've spent a lot of time around. At least twice, I've been told that "Still Waters Run Deep". And I thought "Bingo! That person knows a little bit about me!"
Well, I don't want to ramble on too long, but I did want to jump in with you and let you know that, far from being a monster, consider yourself a rare, different, sensitive soul placed on this Earth, with a plan that you may not be aware of.
God Bless You, Cassie!
LH
=^..^=
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