C.D. Gerard's Blog, page 3
October 9, 2017
Middle Aged People Having Steamy Sex? Really????
A review I received from one of my readers made the following comment:"I was looking for a steamy read, but it turned out the characters were much older, telling the story of the past. It was hard to relate."While this was actually a good review with good things to say, this comment was not surprising. I actually expected this sort of a reaction, really.In a youth obsessed culture, we've actually gotten to the point where we picture only young, perfect bodied men and woman being sexual. Yet the odd thing about all this is people are living longer, they are healthier, and yes, even without the youthful bodies, are sexual.
I know when people buy books, especially books with a romantic theme, they want to fulfill a fantasy, which generally means people in the story that are depicted as perfect and beautiful. But on the other hand, if we are lucky, we are all going to grow old, and if we do, we will want the same things we want in our younger years; i.e., love, and yes, sexuality. So I think hot sex between my middle age characters is something positive and life affirming. It shows this is a part of our lives that can continue for the rest of our lives. During our youth, it is hard to imagine older people being sexual, because at that age, we can't even imagine being older. When I was a graduate student, already in my 40s at the time, I made friends with many wonderful people still in their 20s. I remember my one friend Jessica, who I think was about 22 years old at the time, saying, "God, I can't even imagine what it would be like to be 40."I remember telling one of my professors she had said this. He is my age. His comment was "she will be 40 in a blink of an eye." Of course we all know this is true. Life doesn't wait for you, and if you're lucky, you will grow old, still experiencing all life has to offer us.In words of Stevie Nicks, "the sea changes color, but the sea does not change." There are things time will never erode. And one of them, thankfully, is the need for intimacy and love.
I know when people buy books, especially books with a romantic theme, they want to fulfill a fantasy, which generally means people in the story that are depicted as perfect and beautiful. But on the other hand, if we are lucky, we are all going to grow old, and if we do, we will want the same things we want in our younger years; i.e., love, and yes, sexuality. So I think hot sex between my middle age characters is something positive and life affirming. It shows this is a part of our lives that can continue for the rest of our lives. During our youth, it is hard to imagine older people being sexual, because at that age, we can't even imagine being older. When I was a graduate student, already in my 40s at the time, I made friends with many wonderful people still in their 20s. I remember my one friend Jessica, who I think was about 22 years old at the time, saying, "God, I can't even imagine what it would be like to be 40."I remember telling one of my professors she had said this. He is my age. His comment was "she will be 40 in a blink of an eye." Of course we all know this is true. Life doesn't wait for you, and if you're lucky, you will grow old, still experiencing all life has to offer us.In words of Stevie Nicks, "the sea changes color, but the sea does not change." There are things time will never erode. And one of them, thankfully, is the need for intimacy and love.
September 29, 2017
Happy Poetry Day!!
In recognition of Poetry Day, I would like to shared this blog post from my Poet's Corner blog:I've always wanted to write a sonnet. When people think of sonnets, they often think of the most famous sonnet writer of all time, Mr. William Shakespeare. But many modern poets used the sonnet as well.The sonnet is a 14 line poem, written in iambic pentameter. It's rhyming scheme is abab, cdcd, efef, gg. Sounds easy enough, right? NOT!My favorite sonnet writer is Edna St. Vincent Millay. Millay's poetry became famous in the 1920s, and she, like many women in her era, were not shy about the fact they had a multitude of lovers. After all, it was the era of flappers, and bathtub gin, and the Charleston.Those of us that grew up in the 1970s and 1980s, during the post-sexual revolution, can relate to this on varying levels. (I personally admit to nothing!) But I do admit my all-time favorite sonnet is Millay's Sonnet XLIII, that goes like this:What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why,I have forgotten, and what arms have lainUnder my head till morning; but the rainIs full of ghosts tonight, that tap and sighUpon the glass and listen for reply,And in my heart there stirs a quiet painFor unremembered lads that not againWill turn to me at midnight with a cry.Thus in winter stands the lonely tree,Nor knows what birds have vanished one by one,Yet knows its boughs more silent than before:I cannot say what loves have come and gone,I only know that summer sang in meA little while, that in me sings no more.
Edna St. Vincent Millay Now here's my attempt:Sonnet I:To those I've lovedTo those I've loved in days gone byThat linger in sequestered placesIn a restless heart, that wonders whyAnd thinks on smiles of faded faces.Their laughter rings through bygone daysIn moments I rememberWhen love was young and passion blazedThen burst to deadened embers.When days are long, and I'm aloneand youth seems far awayI think of when those love lights shoneFull of sweet words to say. I dwell on all those moments sweet, And hope again with love I'll meet.Okay, well, maybe Edna was better. But it was my first try!!! Happy Poetry Day to everyone!!
Edna St. Vincent Millay Now here's my attempt:Sonnet I:To those I've lovedTo those I've loved in days gone byThat linger in sequestered placesIn a restless heart, that wonders whyAnd thinks on smiles of faded faces.Their laughter rings through bygone daysIn moments I rememberWhen love was young and passion blazedThen burst to deadened embers.When days are long, and I'm aloneand youth seems far awayI think of when those love lights shoneFull of sweet words to say. I dwell on all those moments sweet, And hope again with love I'll meet.Okay, well, maybe Edna was better. But it was my first try!!! Happy Poetry Day to everyone!!
