The Sixties was a good time to be young
but you had barricades inside your head.
Alarm bells and sirens went off
every time you tried to cross the line.
Resisting all thoughts of impropriety
you fought me off with so much bravery
and all year long you wore a cross
of sainthood around your blushing neck.
You needed to be faithful, you told me,
to the one who said he would respect you.
Funny though, you were never really happy.
Not once did I see a smile on your face.
Fires were burning your modest flesh
torturing you without mercy.
Frightened, you found comfort in your books
and solace in your daily prayers.
A slave to the sin of piety, prudence
was riding heavy on your pious shoulders
and the year went by, our time wasted—
you wanting me and me wanting you.
A few words about the poem…
The Sin of Piety and Repression of Desire - A Coming-of-Age Poem
This coming-of-age poem, part of the series Cyprus Poems, journeys through the tumultuous landscapes of the Sixties, a decade steeped in change and revolution. Delicate threads of love and loss are woven, inviting contemplation of the human heart's yearnings. The backdrop of the era provides a nostalgic ambiance, setting the stage for the inner struggles of youth to unfold. As the poem weaves its narrative, it creates a compelling exploration of emotions, emphasizing the raw beauty of vulnerability in human relationships..
The heart of this poem lies in evoking a myriad of emotions—nostalgia, empathy, and introspection. The interplay of love and loss acts as a mirror, reflecting a journey through life's labyrinth. As the poem traverses the Sixties, it does not merely recount events but intertwines the personal experiences of the young teenagers who navigate through that transformative era. The poem becomes a vessel through which the inner struggles of youth are exposed, as their struggles, their dreams, and their dilemmas become an intricate dance of emotions, resonating across time and space.
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