The marvellous Lidos of London 

Nowhere better to live that summer

So many bodies lifted into the sense

Of immortality, of continuance, except

My black gay friend who nearly

Ended it all in a council house. I turned

Off the gas and he managed to last

Long enough to play drums at Wembley

Stadium on a certain day. We once

Drove up to Harrow-on-the-hill

He felt ill when he saw the white and brown kids

Dressed up like the twats that  they were.

I told him they didn't deserve a minute

Of his time. And besides he was mine.

He laughed knowing I was straight.

 I had to say that love had little to do

With sex, that day or any fucking day..