MIRIAM AT BURGOS IN 1970

A BOY AND GIRL AT BURGOS IN 1970.

Inside Burgos Cathedral
Miriam was in shorts
and tee-shirt
and I nearby

and a woman
next to her
said casa de Dios
Miriam said something

back in Spanish
and the woman
scowled at her
and moved away

muttering in Spanish
under her breath
what did she say?
I asked

Miriam said
the old bat
said this
was the house of God

and that I
was not dressed
correctly
I looked

at the woman
who was glaring
at Miriam
what did you

say to her?
I asked
I told her
go wash her fanny

I nodded
and looked
at the glaring
Spanish dame

I spoke no Spanish
but whatever
the dame was muttering
didn't sound

like a blessing
I tried to focus
on the mass
the words(now

in Spanish not Latin)
Miriam folded
her arms
her eyes sharp

as pencils
her red hair
tight curls
smelling of sun oil

and scent
a guy in front
had his eyes closed
muttering a prayer

in Spanish
the priest
at the altar
was colourful

like a beetle
arms out stretched
Miriam whispered
I'll need a drink

after this
and something more
later in the tent
she smiled at me

her eyes bright
and alive
and mischievous
I had lost my way

in the mass
but the beetle priest
was lifting the host
Christ was present

and I bet
the old Spanish dame
was giving Him
the low down

on Miriam
but I knew
He'd understand
His love

was wide and deep
and Miriam and her promises
would have to wait
and keep.