Upstairs at the Red Hole Tavern
Famous for its women who flavour their cunts
with sweet-smelling flowers -
ox-eye daisies,
wood anemones,
meadowsweet and stinking clover,
buds of sweet chestnut pulled thick from the branch.
Over the door a bunch of cow parsley
hunts down bad customers.
Over each bed
a crown of black beads
and bellflowers praise all lovers,
wishing them nights of playful plenty.
Mary-Jane insists on telling lovers
of other lovers and how they kiss,
of those who love to bite
or slap and scream and fight!
It doesn't matter who she's with -
she'll concoct a story and he'll believe her.
No girl's more infamous than Caitlin -
raven hair resting on her shoulders,
a thick silver band
around each upper arm
and rings on every finger -
a famous lady of an infamous harem!
Carmel's thighs are looped with a tumble
of long-flowing crêpe and lace,
Indian silk and chiffon.
She puts a record on
and rhythmically her body shakes
to the little tune and the needle trembles.
Heather mixes a teaspoonful of honey
with milk from gentle roots -
a mixture that's slightly oily -
and spreads it over her belly,
neck, legs, arms and tits,
then robes herself with a gossamer nightie.
No less than one hundred colours
have been glimpsed in Annie's hair
when it's down her back
and brushed out flat.
Other women can't be like her.
No - not for a world of beauty parlours.
Willa's hands are like two little doves
cooing and caressing and playing,
fluttering their wings
softly on men's skin
which is endlessly delighting!
There's no lighter thing than Willa's love.
You can be sure that on this very night
Katie's pressed beneath a man
and a soiled sheet.
Her breathing's quick and short
and sweat's upon her brow again,
but her eyes sparkle with the sea's light.
Little Janet can't help singing
snatches of old songs,
broken lines of ballads
(her favourite's He Was Glad)
or chattering little tunes
while she's busy loving.
Against the white dress Maria's skin seems darker.
The dress fits perfectly around her,
tightening at the thighs and breasts.
Her dark shoulders curve and taper
into her long dark neck.
Her dark almond eyes are charcoaled darker.
A sailor from Santander sent a torrent of kisses
down Julie-Ann's back.
He swore that Saint Magdalene's
in holy Santander town
could never hope to give
as much delight as he could give her kisses.
Page(s) 26-28
magazine list
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- Lamport Court
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- Matter
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