Having A Ball 1975 Poem by Terry Collett

Mrs Reed said
get us a hotel
so I got us a hotel

and it was
a cheap place
but it was in London

and near to where
the action was
and the theatres

and shows and bars
and restaurants
and so we got there

and the old dame said
make sure you leave
the bed open when

you're done next morning
ok
I said

and so we went up
the creaky stairs
to the room

and opened the door
and it was dull
and cheap

and had a small bathroom
off the room
with an old bath

and two brass taps
marked H and C
so we undressed

she quicker than I
I was shy
anyway she lay there

while I undressed
and she said
if my husband

could see me now
he'd think twice
about going with those

other women
he'd think twice
having those girls

in the back of his car
I undressed and got
into bed beside her

and she said
I've slept with only
two men in my life

and you're the third
you don't mind do you?
she said

no
I replied
as long as I don't

have to sleep with them too
and she laughed
and the bed shook

and then we got down to it
and I remembered
her husband smiling at me

at the house when
I came around that Christmas
for presents for all

him not
knowing then
I was having a ball.