MEETING FOR COFFEE AND SUCH IN 1967.

[dadio]

As I came
from the Embankment
underground station
towards Charing Cross

I saw Julie standing
looking in
a shop window
she looked thin

in the jeans
and yellow tee-shirt
her hair was drawn back
in a ponytail

she saw me
and walked towards me
thought I’d meet you here
she said

got bored waiting
in Trafalgar Square
ok
I said

good that you're here
we kissed and walked
hand in hand
up to Charing Cross

how are you?
I asked
fucked
she said

the doctors
have been on my case
all week
and the nurses

have been
breathing down my neck
into everything I do
can't even go

to the bog
without them
standing outside the door
in case I’m shooting up

and are you?
I asked
course not
where am I

going to get anything
to shoot up?
we came to the road
and crossed

at the lights
and into Charing Cross Road
I missed you
she said

missed you too
I said
wish I had
a photo of you

to put by my bed
can't get one
she said
the parents won't bring

a thing from home
unless you have a camera?
no I don't
have a camera

I said
shame
she said
I’m going

to a jazz concert
next week
I said
jazz? yuk

she said
I’d rather
have an enema
who are you seeing?

Charles Lloyd
jazz sax guy
but I can see you
in the day time

it's in the evening
she looked at me
we could try book
into that crazy hotel again

for a few hours
she said
get that same room
and bed

today?
I asked
no next week
she said

OK
I said
I’ll ring through tonight
she smiled

give me something
to look forward to
all week
get me through

the nonsense
with the docs and nurses
we went into
Leicester Square

and into a café
for two coffees
and a slice
of chocolate cake each

and I studied
her face
and small breasts
just out of reach.