This poem is the first of its kind. Southampton poet Khairah Boukhatem is launching a poetry collection that will explore the subject of animals and the non-human. Each week, a new piece will be published that attempts to bridge the gap between creature and critter, friend and foe, and most importantly, man and our fellow beasts.
Allan Called
I went home to put on dinner and in my hand was a butterfly.
I know it was an accident because I ain’t a butterfly catcher.
Its wings were bigger than in pictures or shampoo bottles.
(It was red and had spots of blue just like the dishcloth
I brought to brighten up the kitchen this fall)
So in my hand was this butterfly next to the fresh bread I bake.
Allan called out for me and I didn’t know what to tell him
because I was in the kitchen with a butterfly and two empty plates.
So I opened up the window and let it fly out straight.
Khairah Boukhatem
