Salome was the daughter of Herod II and Herodias. According to some poems, Salome instigated the death of John the Baptist and when she presented his head to her love interest he simply said 'Dear Salome, I would have liked better to get your own head'. Taking this seriously, she lets herself be beheaded and when her head is presented, her love interest looks in disgusts and turns around to carry on his conversation. Poets such as Carol Ann Duffy have also written poetry based on Salome.
Salome I’d done it before (and doubtless I’ll do it again, sooner or later) woke up with a head on the pillow beside me – whose? – what did it matter?
Good-looking, of course, dark hair, rather matted; the reddish beard several shades lighter; with very deep lines around the eyes, from pain, I’d guess, maybe laughter; and a beautiful crimson mouth that obviously knew how to flatter… which I kissed… Colder than pewter. Strange. What was his name? Peter?
Simon? Andrew? John? I knew I’d feel better for tea, dry toast, no butter, so rang for the maid. And, indeed, her innocent clatter of cups and plates, her clearing of clutter, her regional patter, were just what I needed – hungover and wrecked as I was from a night on the batter.
Never again! I needed to clean up my act, get fitter, cut out the booze and the fags and the sex. Yes. And as for the latter, it was time to turf out the blighter, the beater or biter, who’d come like a lamb to the slaughter to Salome’s bed.
In the mirror, I saw my eyes glitter. I flung back the sticky red sheets, and there, like I said – and ain’t life a bitch – was his head on a platter.