My Only Admirer… Poem by Louise Tredoux

Visited Juliette’s parents in their castle today,
at least, this is what Werner would say, they
live in rich man’s valley, Mr Gagiano once again
explaining to me why he actually liked Hitler –
he tried to save his own people from the Jewish
invasion of Germany – Juliette only shaking her
head in exasperation

We’re not allowed to walk on the wooden floors
barefoot, though socks are okay, may not eat in her
bedroom – but Juliette smuggled crisps and peanuts
in there ages ago, when we were still at school; Rudi
and Werner joined us; at the height of conversation
I went off to read some more in Mr Gagiano’s
encyclopaedia’s

Rudi disapproved, took me back to join the others,
Juliette’s parents worried, what’s wrong, Rudi, they
enquired, I looked at Rudi questioningly, he explained,
he apologised for my bad behavior, going off to read
instead of joining in the conversation; all laughed and
assured him that it was quite okay, I explained
Mr Gagiano has been my only admirer

Since I’m the only one interested in his old-fashioned
books, Rudi blushed crimson to the roots, I apologized,
never thought to brief him before this visit….