Love Is Exclusive Poem by Louise Tredoux

I thought life was easy, but it’s not,
I thought loving with total devotion
was tantamount to heaven, but it’s
not, life is about pros and cons, now
I realize how much it costs to be
faithful to the love of my life

Werner’s presence made me realize
I’m vulnerable - when Rudi leaves so
frequently, I’m alone and unhappy,
missing the love of my life, a brother
who seems to offer support – this is
not right, I’ll have to fight against

This situation, recent events proved
a fatal blow to platonic regard, I will
have to inflict hurt by frequent rebuffs,
this time I managed to push him away,
he cannot stay to petition for love when
Rudi’s not here, I love giving love, but

True love is possessive and confining,
it must be conducted right, otherwise
all relationships would be undermined,
my honour would be compromised if
I embraced him willingly, love is
exclusive, can we be friends

Without tension, without pain?