UNTIL EARLY DAWN 1975

A MAN AND WOMAN AND A RED DRESS IN 1975

I liked her in her red dress,
I liked her out of it, too,
but the dress made her
more dangerous,
more dangerous than
she usually was.

Netanya, I said,
you look devilish
in that dress,
it brings out
the hotness in you.

Teddy, she said,
you're only just
saying that to get me
in bed tonight
and have your
wicked way.

Of course, I said,
but more than that,
there is a deeper danger
in you, and the redness
brings it out.

Shall I wear the red dress
in bed tonight?
she said, or go
to bed without?

I watched her dance;
other guys watched her, too;
some danced with her,
thinking their luck
would hold.

I didn't dance with her,
I just sat and boozed
and watched.

I slept with her
that night;
she didn't wear
her red dress,
but naked as
she was born,
and we made love
from dark night
until early dawn.