I’m a stripy ginger kitten
And my name is Tarik’s Cat.
I grew up with Tarik in
A noisy crowded flat.
I’d zoom around the kitchen
While his mum was making bread
And when she least expected
I ‘Geronimo!’ed her head.
I’d lurk behind the furniture,
Bite unsuspecting toes.
I’d scramble up the curtains
And pull threads in favourite clothes.
I’d strut along the table
Smashing everything in sight
And yowl at everybody
In the middle of the night.
I’d undo Nana’s knitting
(She was very cross at that)
While Tarik’s dad yelled, ‘Tarik,
Please control your naughty cat!’
We’d lie under the covers
Like statues made of wood.
They all tried hard to find us
But no one ever could
And Tarik whispered stories
Of genies wafting by
Of magic lamps and secret caves
And carpets that could fly.
But then one day a war began.
There was nowhere to hide.
When soldiers brought their tanks and guns
We locked ourselves inside.
Explosions all around us
Shook walls and window frames.
The neighbour’s house erupted
In a ball of smoke and flames.
There wasn’t any water.
There wasn’t any bread.
We didn’t play our naughty games,
We crouched in fear instead.
Then, suddenly, there came a jolt,
A flash of something bright.
A piercing whine, a deafening
Blast of thunder ripped the night.
I woke up in confusion
Buried underneath the rubble
And through the dust came voices
Crying out in desperate trouble.
Days and nights dragged endlessly.
The cries for help grew slow
And silence settled into place
As deep as winter snow.
And just when hope had faded
And things had reached their worst,
When hunger was a constant pain,
My tongue on fire with thirst,
I felt a strange vibration,
Saw a tiny chink of white.
A hand reached in and gently
Pulled me out into the light.
I loitered at the bomb site
Miaowing Tarik’s name
But none of Tarik’s family
Nor Tarik ever came.
So I went to live with Sana
In a leaky plastic tent
Where all the other orphan kids
Who’d lost their homes were sent.
We’re waiting here for something,
I don’t know who or what,
As if it’s time for breakfast
Only someone just…forgot.
But one day Tarik might come back
When he remembers that
He used to have a naughty friend
Whose name was Tarik’s Cat.