MEETING AT THE EMBANKMENT 1967.

I had rung
Nima in the week
at the hospital
(the nurse
wasn't happy about it
but she brought Nima
to the phone)
she said
she'd meet me
in London
by the Embankment station
so on the Saturday
I went to the station
and waited for her
people passed me
on their way up West
or back into the tube station
going elsewhere
then I saw her
coming out from
the underground
she smiled
when she saw me
and hugged me
and we kissed
glad to see you
she said
they quacks weren't
going let me out
but they did eventually
why wasn't they going
to let you out?
I said
my mother had said
I was not to go out
but as I am over 18
they said she had

no rights over me
so they reluctantly
let me go
but I have to be back
by dusk
that's ok
I said
where do you
want to go?
I need a drink
she said
so we walked
up the road
and found a bar
on Charing Cross Road
we sat in a corner
with our drinks
and we lit up cigarettes
I should be leaving
the hospital soon
she said
if I stay off drugs
and stay with my parents
so should be able
to see you easier
at weekends
that'd be good
I said
at your parent's place?
no way there
they'd interrogate you
like the Gestapo
Nima said
we'll meet in London
some place
ok
I said

we talked on
but I was just glad
to watch her
bright eyes
and happy face.