Is Voyeurism Poetry All About Sex?

Branch,
What is Voyeurism Poetry? Is it all about sex?

                                            Lana S., San Diego, CA

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Thanks for your question, it's a good one. Many people automatically presume "Voyeurism Poetry" is sexual because the historical context of "voyeurism" is most often viewed in a sexual setting. As a writer, my application of this term is about reflective identity, as in, "Looking Out, Seeing In".

What I mean by "Looking Out, Seeing In" is that the short stories I write are about issues and emotions people experience, either themselves or by way of friends, acquaintances or family members. By observing and experiencing emotional situations either 'first, second or third hand' there is an identity which takes place among and between the people involved. For example, if you have a spouse or significant other who has cheated on you, someone you know or a family member, you are aware of the pain and struggle associated with those actions. The results and the emotional fallout from that act is identifiable to all involved. Writing a short story of poetic prose (short and easy to read, follow, understand) about this kind of situation is "Voyeurism Poetry". One is reading ('viewing or observing'), a real life situation and all that goes with it, while being able to identify personally with the emotions, pain, heartache, distrust, hate, actions etc. which are part of the experience for those involved.

While the above example does involve sex, "Voyeurism Poetry" stories can express significant emotional recognition by the reader in many of life's situations or experiences. Birth, death, love, hate, envy, joy, heartache, heartfelt happiness, sympathy, empathy, etc. The list of possibilities is extensive, but most of us experience a collective of similar emotional situations. This is the symmetry of life. While our paths are uniquely different, our individual life's lessons and the manner or ways they may play out for each of us is uniquely similar. It is in this fashion that we can identify with each other’s' lives and our common purposes and themes of existence.

"Looking Out, Seeing In" is the foundational aspect of my "Voyeurism Poetry". Writing to promote this identification between the reader and the story helps the reader become aware 'they are not alone' in their feelings or experiences. Others have faced, and are facing the same or similar emotional situations and are somehow surviving, growing and living through the experience. 

Voyeurism Poetry's "Looking Out, Seeing In" also encourages the reader to look deeper within themselves. To address if they desire, issues and emotions which may be hidden or masked. My Voyeurism Poetry stories help the reader to discover it's okay, (or not) to look at the inner ramifications of external situations, experienced by self or others. Voyeurism Poetry stories can help to promote growth and/or identification in order that the reader may possibly address areas they may be, or may have been reluctant to look at. This unique "Looking Out, Seeing In" aspect of Voyeurism Poetry is by design, an opportunity for the  reader to grow.

So, Voyeurism Poetry is not "all about sex", but sex is a basic staple of life and relationships, so yes, Voyeurism Poetry also occasionally looks at or explores sexual and erotic themes.

Thanks again for your question. I invite you to get 'a feel for or a taste of' my Voyeurism Poetry in the Reading Room (Open Mic Poems) here at the web site. We post a new and different poem each day, with seven to choose from each week.

All the best,
Branch