Here's Odense
Dalya says
looks OK

the driver
parks the bus
(mini bus)
and we all
disembark

an hour
and be back
the driver
informs us

so we all
go our ways

I walk on
with Dalya
she gassing
about things
as she does

that Yank girl
in my tent
always on
about men
who she's had
what they've done
small details
about ***
makes me sick
Dalya says

what do you
say to her?
I ask her
as we sit
in a street
side café

don't say much
just listen
Dalya says
I don't know
what to say

I order
two coffees
the waitress
a young dame
writes it down
then goes off
I watch her
walk away
lovely ***
I’m thinking

why not tell
the Yank girl
about your
**** life?
I tell her

I don't have
a *** life
not like hers
Dalya says
anyway
I couldn't
just tell her

she tells you
about hers

I couldn’t
not details
not each part
like she does

our coffees
are brought out
to us both
the waitress
smiles at me
and walks off

what details?
what's she say?

can't tell you
Dalya says

you spoilsport

it's not that

tell me then

Dalya sips
her coffee
I sip mine
watching her
her dark hair
the stern gaze
her thin lips

she did say
something odd
I remember
Dalya says

what was that?

M&S;

M&S;

yes that's right
don't know what
it stands for
Dalya says
but she says
she likes it

Dalya sips
more coffee

I give her
my famous
Elvis smile

what's that for?
she asks me

whips and chains
and leather
and whipping
I inform
is what her
M&S;
is about

Dalya sits
open mouthed

***** cow
she remarks
who does she
chain and whip?

maybe she's
chained and whipped
by some guy
I suggest

God how gross
how could she?
how *****
and the fact
we share tents
Dalya says
quite concerned
I couldn't
she remarks

I guess not
I reply
recalling
an old flame
much older
who liked it
before ***

Dalya sips
her coffee
in silence
in deep thought

I sip mine
savouring
each mouthful

recalling
the old flame's
preference
of spanking
before ***
and the sound
like applause
in those small
concert halls.