The Virgin

by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Monday 20th July 2009 8:19 pm

The Virgin

Be good to him;

Be sweet and tender and kind.

With his careless fumbling be patient.

His experience is academic.

All the books - titillating photos -

Sly whispers in the locker room -

Self exploration -

Are as nothing.

In the exposure of his true ignorance

He will be shy.

Use your expertise with judgment.

He will be as beautiful a lover

As you so make him.

When he is confident with the obvious

Be worldly.

Startle him with variety.

As he grows bolder,

Delighting in his freedom,

Treasure his creativity.

Lust can be a lovely thing

And passion is a partnership.

Cynthia Buell Thomas

Comments

Isobel

Tue 21st Jul 2009 08:56

A super poem Cynthia - would agree with all who went before, particularly Anthony - quite how he manages to be so insightful I don't know. I sometimes do feel sorry for the male - so many pressures and so much resting on him. As you so tenderly portray - whether it be a virgin or just a nervous new partner. how a woman handles things is so key.

Anthony Emmerson

Tue 21st Jul 2009 02:37

Hi Cynthia,
I'm really pleased you reposted this - but completely understand your reasons for removing it earlier. I suspect this poem will generate very different reactions from male and female readers - the "Venus and Mars" phenomenon; that is, if the males are willing to be honest and bare their inscrutable souls for you (unlikely!) I would have obvious difficulty commenting from the female perspective, (although I would hope to have a smidgen of insight) so I will attempt to give you my honest male take on it.

You are obviously aware of the hormonal rushes and furtive carnal habits of the adolescent male - and the universal fantasy of the experienced older woman! It's refreshing to see a female's eye view on this. The telling lines (or maybe it should be money shots!) for me are:

"In the exposure of his true ignorance"

Yes, you're right, that first time we are over-eager and just fumbling in the dark.

"He will be as beautiful a lover
As you so make him."

So true. Like every other subject, the quality of the tuition is crucial - and let's face it, it's not a subject that can be learned from a manual. Men that have benefited from the tutelage of a confident, experienced and (perhaps most of all) sympathetic woman have a lot to be grateful for.

"Lust can be a lovely thing
And passion is a partnership."

A universal truth in my book. Great poem; extremely insightful, erotic, deftly handled and a pleasure to spend time thinking about - and commenting on.
Regards,
A.E.