The Stripper.
Simon and I dreamed at that city bar
1/2 way to opal country of treasure;
treasures are always
just around the corner
and this day was about to bounty
or sink
as change was in the air
and it came in the form of a bedraggled woman
youngish
slim and shapely
almost pretty
smiling
asking
where are you two heading?
Simon answered, Andamooka
and she responded, “Can I come?”.
Fascination and reservations swamped me.
I left the answering up to Simon
and he just replied
“Ask Mat. It’s his ute.”
What do you want to go to Andamooka for?
"There are men there and I’m a stripper."
If you annoy us, I’ll dump you at the nearest town
she agreed to the terms
so we took her
camped out under the stars
(gave her my tent
and in went her dog and her 5 plastic bags of outfits)
and lying on the tray top bed of my old blue ute
Simon and I discussed the complexities facing
our new profession;
apprentice pimps-of-a- sort.
The following evening
at the Opal Hotel
I handed over organisational responsibilities
to “Tough Shorty”
who secured a venue
collected the money
controlled the crowd
and paid the girl.
Simon and I stayed back in the pub drinking
we weren’t needed any more
and we felt she needed professional space.
As I said,
“Treasures are always just around the corner.”
She came back in, smiling
delicately beautiful
she bought us a beer
talked up a great show
a professional !
…and looked fulfilled.
Mat James.
The Stripper
The Stripper
"Without light or guide, save that which burned in my heart." San Juan de la Cruz.
Re: The Stripper
To be completely honest, I don't know what to make of this. I am simultaneously enchanted, horrified, and aroused.
Re: The Stripper
Did she bring you luck?
Re: The Stripper
No, cate,Did she bring you luck?
in this case I think we may have brought her some luck.

Mat.
"Without light or guide, save that which burned in my heart." San Juan de la Cruz.
Re: The Stripper
Thanks jabble524; what a wonderful compliment!To be completely honest, I don't know what to make of this. I am simultaneously enchanted, horrified, and aroused.
What more could I hope for than to enchant, horrify and then......arouse!



I must say I was affected in a similar way. The challenge is to be human in the face of disquiet.
Mat.
"Without light or guide, save that which burned in my heart." San Juan de la Cruz.