Aphrodite

Aphrodite

I think there’s something wrong with me

They want to marry me to convention

They want to control me by affection

And it hurts

It hurts like a thousand knives being pushed inside me

It burns

Like there’s a fire in them just for me

Aphrodite

They want to control my sexuality

They want to convince me of what’s normal and what makes me a broken mess

And it hurts

Like a million needles of guilt scratching me

It burns

Inside and out

Aphrodite

They say they’re doing it because they love me

They say that if I don’t feel as they want, I have no love in my heart

But how can I open myself to this primordial selfishness?

It hurts

Like nails scratching my tender flesh, in selfish cruelty

It burns

Like salty fingers in an open wound.

It hurts, Aphrodite.

They say they love me

But they never do it for myself

The body knows

The body feels

And they fill your head with poisoned words

Of inadequacy

Of what you’re supposed to be

Of what you’re supposed to do

Of what you’re supposed to like

While taking advantage

Of your complacency

Of your guilt

They wrote your myth, Aphrodite

Paphos is real

The only reason why your virginity would be restored every time

Is because your sexuality was never yours to begin with.