FIRST BASE CAMP 1974

A BOY AND GIRL AT THE FIRST BASE CAMP IN 1974

The first night of the tour
was spent in a caravan
(the tents never
showed in time)

and there were 8 of us there
in a small space
cramped together on the floor
except for the Polish woman

who was older
and another dame
who was less fit
who slept on the two

narrow side beds
so we slept after an evening
in the base camp bar
and Dalya said

what a start
stuck in here cramped
and body near body
and out to the latrines

for the emptying of
and hey what did you
say your name was?
Benny

I said
well Benny
ain't this something?
yes not quite what

I had in mind
as the first night camping
but that's life I guess
it was early morning

and we'd woken
near each other
in the first crack of dawn
want to go out

for a  smoke?
she asked
sure why not
so we crept over

sleeping bodies
and out the narrow door
and out into
the morning air

fresh and chilling
and lit up and smoked
looking at the base camp
at Bruges

and each other
I'm Dalya by the way
she said
good to meet you

I said
we walked
to the nearest shop
and bought bread rolls

and a couple of cokes
and began our day
sitting on a seat
waiting for the rest

of the group to wake
and begin the trip
and I looked at her
sitting there

dark haired
short of height
but pretty
and quite sexy

but I didn't tell her so
just smoked
and exchanged a few tales
and rude jokes.