Like Blazing Fires 1967 Poem by Terry Collett

After a weekend away
at her aunt's place
Nima was back in hospital
as her release

had run out
the nurse said
how was your weekend?
boring as hell

Nima said
shame
the nurse said
but at least

you were away from here
but you didn't do
any drugs did you?
of course not

Nima said
unless sex is a drug
in which case
I had an overdose

you never did
the nurse said smiling
who with?
that's for me to know

and you to dream about
Nima said
the nurse went off
and left Nima

by her bed
to change into her nightdress
and go sit
in the lounge

with other woman and girls
until bedtime
she undressed
and put on her nightdress

and thought of Benny
and wished he was there
by her bed
and had watched her undress

but he wasn't
he was at home
and she was there
with the others

and nurses
and cocoa to drink
and biscuits to eat
and lights out

by a certain time
and no one
to have sex with
no drugs to have

nothing except
the dull dark night
and pangs for
this and that

and other urges
and desires
flaring up
like blazing fires.