Did you get a photograph
of me standing by the camel
on the beach?
Miriam asked.
Yes I did,
I said,
the two Arabs
didn't look impressed
with you in your bikini though.
I was clothed;
it wasn't as though
I had nothing on,
she said.
No,
but you know
what they're like
with women,
I said.
****** them Benny,
I am here on holiday;
what do they think
I'm going to do
wear a long dress
and head scarf
in this heat?
Never mind,
I said,
it is done now,
and I have taken the photo.
Will you send me a copy
of the photo
once we are back in England?
Of course I will
if you give me your address,
I said.
Make sure it is an envelope;
I don't want my parents
seeing me in my bikini,
she said.
I will seal it in an envelope
out of prying eyes,
I said.
We looked out
at the Mediterranean.
The water was calm and blue
and the sky a kind of white blue.
The sun hot and pouring
its heat on us.
Do you miss me nights?
She said.
Of course I do,
but the tents are only made
for two not three,
I said smiling.
She tapped my arm:
maybe when your friend
goes into Tangiers next
we could,
she said.
If he goes,
I said.
Hope he goes,
Miriam said.
And the memory of her
in my tent
the other day
buzzed around my head.
Jan 30, 2017
Jan 30, 2017 at 4:24 AM UTC
Did you get a photograph
of me standing by the camel
on the beach?
Miriam asked.
Yes I did,
I said,
the two Arabs
didn't look impressed
with you in your bikini though.
I was clothed;
it wasn't as though
I had nothing on,
she said.
No,
but you know
what they're like
with women,
I said.
****** them Benny,
I am here on holiday;
what do they think
I'm going to do
wear a long dress
and head scarf
in this heat?
Never mind,
I said,
it is done now,
and I have taken the photo.
Will you send me a copy
of the photo
once we are back in England?
Of course I will
if you give me your address,
I said.
Make sure it is an envelope;
I don't want my parents
seeing me in my bikini,
she said.
I will seal it in an envelope
out of prying eyes,
I said.
We looked out
at the Mediterranean.
The water was calm and blue
and the sky a kind of white blue.
The sun hot and pouring
its heat on us.
Do you miss me nights?
She said.
Of course I do,
but the tents are only made
for two not three,
I said smiling.
She tapped my arm:
maybe when your friend
goes into Tangiers next
we could,
she said.
If he goes,
I said.
Hope he goes,
Miriam said.
And the memory of her
in my tent
the other day
buzzed around my head.
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