I created this poem during lockdown with a writing group based in Worcester called 'Standing Proud Writer's Group'. We produced two anthologies together of our combined work during this time. Each week we were given prompts for writing challenges and this one was to chose an animal and relate it to queer experiences. (This piece does not aim to be representative of all queer experiences though).
During lockdown several of my friends had been complaining about missing the scene, feeling touch starved or generally missing their ability to go out and hook up etc.
Some had reflected that they're missing intimacy and a connection with anybody. Whereas other friends said they just missed the sexual transaction that can be gained from clubs and the apps they use.
I could empathise with feelings of loneliness and emptiness from previous experiences that I had experienced and felt that this is also a reoccurring narrative which can be presented as part of gay male culture.
I hope that the video montage helps pulls these themes together. The footage is taken from different gay male movies. They combine images of barren landscapes with artic foxes and the tundras they inhabit. The Artic Fox aims to be an allegorical symbol for this experience.
Footage sources from Youtube for Arctic Fox - - - 1985- final gay club scene https://youtu.be/2fbt-kRofMg - A closeted gay man confronts his darkest fears at a cruising area under a bridge https://youtu.be/_bjog2XTMtQ - A friendly Arctic Fox Greets Explorers National Geographic https://youtu.be/C7mxTEskjQg - Arctic Fox and Red Fox https://youtu.be/AjIXCFr1x5U - Artic fox fight https://youtu.be/yoEL8lvFJwc - ARCTIC FOXES in the Snow https://youtu.be/o0wRPiOwJ_g - Beach Rats Movie Clip - Le Me Be (2017) https://youtu.be/9xLAIs-l-r0 - Beach Rats Teaser Trailer 1 (2017) Harris Dickson Movie https://youtu.be/qMBqERvgrZc - Brokeback mountain- Ennis find his old shirt https://youtu.be/PgnMmOmnYLk - Brokeback Mountain reunion scene(full) https://youtu.be/Dvciu7vZmow - Closet Monster Offical Trailer 1 Official Trailer 1 (2016) - Connor Jessup, Aaron Abrams Movie HD https://youtu.be/PUibxBj3HVk - Downton Abbey Movie Gay Scene https://youtu.be/nBhJ0pB0Zm4 - Drone Video Captures Melting ice Sheets https://youtu.be/p_WZG5x2fa0 - Gay Kisses in Movies https://youtu.be/0HRm3qR9CCw - GODS OWN COUNTRY Offical Trailer (2017) Francis Lee https://youtu.be/q1YAhyU6-tA - Its okay to be gay Brokeback Mountain https://youtu.be/O5CQ2ekfEcM - MOOONLIGHT 2016- Beach Scene (Chiron & Kevin) https://youtu.be/7D0T4ivCsF4 - Movie Free Fall (Agridoce-Romeu) https://youtu.be/4osKgPtBb6Y - Private Romeo- Offical Trailer https://youtu.be/ajExqERK0p8 - Querelle de Brest (Gtm Montage 1080p) JJFanvids https://youtu.be/MlvtHMZP9aE - Querrelle dette de Jeu - part 1 https://youtu.be/WBV3ShSzVvw - Querelle https://youtu.be/F67aVUsIYTA - Snails in the rain _ Gay Soliders Kissing Scene https://youtu.be/JR9il_4Wybs - The death and life of John. F Doovan Club scene https://youtu.be/iQ9hB5gIA7E - The Wound- Official Trailer https://youtu.be/ja1QEpgUszo - Top 10 Best Gay Movies to Watch in 2017 https://youtu.be/54WrrgsBlyY - Tudra Geography- Ecosystems and Biomes https://youtu.be/-8a4ne2b2zw - Tundra Biome Informational Video https://youtu.be/TIpovfDeqz8 -
