I first experienced sexual love—such as
It was—on Atui, when I was seven;
She was older—it was hardly heaven—
And her assurance mocked at my distress.
Original sin is not that we are bad
At birth, but helpless—love gives us control;
Parental love engenders in the soul
Serenity without which we are mad.
Wiser at last I know my father's fear
Was life out of control—that's why he drank,
Played cards, chased women, bitterly aware
Of failing us, even when his body shrank.
And he turned to the wall and died in tears,
Begging forgiveness for his childish pranks.

—Alistair Campbell

(From; Wild Honey—published by Oxford.)