Miriam Has The Hots 1970 Poem by Terry Collett

There was that cathedral
in Burgos
the crowds of people
the priest
at the far end
taking Mass
in Spanish
not Latin
as it used to be.

Benny is beside me
I sat with him
on the coach
from the start.

All through Paris
and France
and into Spain.

I lay my head
against his shoulder
through Paris
and I vaguely heard
the radio playing
Beethoven stuff.

I felt his hand
holding mine
my thigh
touching his.

I kissed him
in the semi dark
of the coach.

I felt funny inside
I wanted to open up
to him like a morning flower
but I couldn't
too many people
about us.

We took
communion at Burgos
making our way
to the altar end
the crowds rushing
at the priest
as if he were a vendor
of wine and bread.

Be careful on the trip
my parents said
those foreigners
can be tricky.

I feel Benny near
and feel funny inside
feel sticky.