Tents (I have known)

take off imminent above Tintagel
canvas cracks, blast attacks
can we lash it down?

first day burn in St Tropez
sweat hot grit, amber-lit
abrasion stripping pink from brown.

buffalo-licks on Masai plains
shadow tongues, bubbling lungs
breath held silence – choke it down.

flat foot nocturne camel train
dune-shod stumble, powdered rumble
looming jinns a-flicker brown.

nebula glinting midnight eyes
arcing ink, laser wink
so we spangle, charcoal drown.

flaps and rustles, half-heard jostles
memories strung on guy-rope brown.