Wildish Cat 1967 Poem by Terry Collett

Nima says
we can stay
at my aunt's

apartment
she's away
in Ireland

what me too?
Benny says
they're standing

in the grounds
of the old
hospital

where she stays
to help her
drug problem

yes you too
Nima says
and she knows?

Benny says
of course not
but she said

I could stay
and I am
she needn't know

about you
a nurse comes
to see her

her face sour
here's your pass
for tonight

but be back
tomorrow
by nightfall

or we could
arrange for
the police

to get you
I know that
Nima says

the nurse goes
walking slow
over grass

blue and grey
uniform
swaying there

I'm sectioned
Nima says
as you know

he knew that
she told him
that night they

stayed in that
cheap hotel
in London

we can go
there right now?
Benny asks

we can go
I’m ready
got my pass

I’m all dressed
some spare clothes
in my bag

with my drugs
(legal ones)
and money

so they go
get a train
to London

(Benny told
his parents
he is at

a friend's house)
she like some
wildish cat

up for games
he unsure
like some mouse

being played
paw to paw
more and more.