POITIERS AND BEYOND.A Poem by Terry CollettA BOY AND GIRL TOURING FRANCE IN 1970.We were allowed out of the coach to stretch our legs and have a quick look around Poitiers in France Miriam stretched her arms out and kicked out her legs almost got cramp she said I could have massaged them for you I said I’m an expert at massaging away cramps sure you are she said smiling but not on the coach it's too impersonal we walked around Place de Gaulle looking in shop windows and cafés and restaurants how about some coffee? I asked if you're paying she said anything for a lady I said and what did you want in exchange? she said putting her hands on her hips who said anything in exchange I just want to buy you a coffee she smiled OK if you say so she said so we sat outside a small café and ordered two coffees and cake and the waiter went off I lit up a cigarette what's the book you're reading on the coach? she asked it's called The Apostle I said what's it about? St Paul isn't he the guy who fell from his horse or donkey when a voice called to him at Damascus? yes something like that I said why are you reading about him? he interests me I said why? well he went from being a persecutor of what we call Christians now to actually joining them and becoming one of their leaders enough already she said I heard he was against sex and all that I guess he was not keen on the idea and you want to read about him? sex is a brilliant thing without it no one would be here not even that Paul guy she said the waiter brought our coffees and cake and went off beside she said you weren't practising what this Paul guy was preaching on the coach last night never said I was practising anything but it was dim on the coach and most others were asleep she ate her cake and I recalled the coach radio playing some Mozart piece the night before while she and I tried to explore. © 2014 Terry Collett
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StatsAuthorTerry CollettUnited KingdomAboutTerry Collett has been writing since 1971 and published on and off since 1972. He has written poems, plays, and short stories. He is married with eight children and eight grandchildren. on January 27t.. more..Writing
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