PHOTOGRAPH IN MOROCCO 1970

A BOY AND GIRL IN MOROCCO IN 1970

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.

Bugger 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.