Devoured By You Poem by Louise Tredoux

The church was freezing inside, my fingers
purple and blue, I looked up and saw you,
handsome in your coat and suit, you looked
so aloof; then you saw me and your face
changed, warmth crept into your eyes –
defiantly, you took your place next to me;
I was overjoyed, my temperature changed;
I felt hot, my face red in exultation and joy;
the ladies looked at me meaningfully, father
did not look pleased; I was determined to
follow if you went outside – but you stayed;

Intensely aware of your presence; your hands
and face; felt self-conscious in my desire to be
held in your arms; it was a fight to stay calm –
finally father said amen, we went outside, I saw
nobody else; only aware of your profile; only
desirous to hear your voice; wanted so much to
feel your embrace; yet too shy to make the first
move; you turned to me and your voice shook –
do you want to go home? - I said no; not at all;
you laughed - You’re not very safe with me - you
warned me happily - I’ll take my chances, I said;

Let’s go to my flat, start a fire, be comfortable;
I turned red; you laughed and drove us there,
a fire to warm us, chocolate liqueurs for me;
Warm enough? - No longer purple and blue;
you held me in your arms just as I dreamt you
would, kissed me in a way I did not foresee,
helped me out of my clothes - that move was
new; you started doing things I’d only read
about; I protested; you simply put liqueurs
in my mouth and proceeded, modesty no
longer counted; your passion grew; mine did
too; we became rhythm in unison; you were
savage in your desire; so was I; the timid me
that I knew was gone again, in her place was
a virago, devoured by you…