The Star of Your People

Anne Frank where have you been?

It was just last night you came wandering up my street

A small notebook you hugged to your heart

Covering the star of your people.

We walk now down a street crammed with cars

And at every back fire you cover your head

You cover your ears and kneel against the wall

Shuddering with fear until the car has turned the corner.

It is nearing the evening and you’re straying homewards

Saying you cannot be walking about

In public

Past six or six-thirty, or else they might find you and take you to bed.

I wake up at night to the sounds of your whispers

Fervently muttering one name as you sleep

“Kitty, Kitty.”