IT DIDN'T MATTER 1970

A BOY AND GIRL IN MOROCCO IN 1970

The sound of the sea behind us
the sand dune protected us
from a slight evening breeze
some Arab guy was playing a guitar

up at base camp
laughter from others
singing on the wind carried
and Miriam said

you want to make out Benny?
here?
I said
sure why not?

she said
won't they miss us?
I said
they wouldn't miss the moon

they're so pissed on
the Arab wine junk
they've been passing around
in that big jar thing

Miriam said
we were close in the sand dune
clumps of grass
and sand warm

my hand on her thigh
other hand about her neck
is it safe?
I said

safe for what?
she said
I haven't got no pox
have you?

no just wondering about
in case you know?
I said
got the pill

no worries there
now kiss me
she said
so I did

lips to lips kind of thing
her hand unzipping my jeans
her other hand around me
want to?

she said
the guitar was still being plucked
voices still sang
laughter on the wind

she had my pecker
between fingers and thumb
and talking to it
I was seeing the moon

over her shoulder
stars blinking
come on come
she said

then someone fired
a rifle in the air
silence followed
then chatter

we were well away
so it didn't matter.