Kittens And Warzones 1955 Poem by Terry Collett

Helen said
the woman
in the flat
above hers
(Mrs Knight)
had a new kitten
to replace the one
that got run over
on the road.

It was a tabby
and when Mrs Knight
lets it out
it rubs
against my legs
Helen said.
I can show
when you
come round
next time.

We walked
to Jail Park
went on the swings.

I'm going
to get a kitten
when I'm older
she said
a tabby
like Mrs Knight.

We rode
the swings high
rising up
into the morning air.

I pretended
I was in a spitfire
shooting down
German warplanes
tat-a-tat-tat
I went.

Helen talk on
about how the kitten
drinks the milk
she puts out
on a saucer
but too often
or it'll want to live
with us
she said.

I shot down
half a dozen warplanes
the invisible pilots
falling dead.