Your Personal Aphrodite Poem by Louise Tredoux

I wasn’t ready, thought I was, it was all I wanted,
but I wasn’t ready, I didn’t realize or visualize or
prepare or accept or understand

Cry, just a little while, then a brave face, put a lid
on this event, it was a culture shock, you were so
patient and understanding

You didn’t get angry when I overreacted, I really
love you, you know I do, I adore you more and more;
I was not prepared for reality

I had a conventional life in a very strict atmosphere,
you said you understood better than I thought, thank
you for that, I wasn’t ready

You took it in your stride, you’re a better man than
anyone I read or heard about, please give me time
and I’ll be fine, I need to prepare

I was taught all wrong, I need debriefing about my
upbringing, I’m so sorry about my reaction, give me
another chance, you said

You would help me overcome the limitations that
tie me up with strings of steel, choking my heart,
you vaguely expected

Something of this kind, but a reaction so violent, at
least it is a good sign of a capacity for passion, now
I’ll allow you to mould me

Teach me to live up to natural human potential, I
want to become your personal Aphrodite…