Félicette
by Emily Lo-Doherty, Lauriston Girls School
Years 7 – 8 Written Poetry Finalist
Laika had his blaze of glory.
You remember the history memes
and sad poetry. Russia’s comet destined never to return.
But you, do you wish that you did worse? Maybe if you
had died in orbit it would still
be the same. You got a pat when you
stood still and let them cut into your skin.
No one remembers you, but
a few days before your launch, you thought about your brother
and hoped he survived.
A stray.
A little bruised and then betrayed.
Do you wish that he had been chosen instead?
Do you wish that they are filled with regret?
Do you wish that you were found dead?
They killed you for nothing, Félicette.
You fought hard for
one that would have lived
quite happily as a pet
was the meagre glory that you won
worth it, for death, Félicette?
They searched your body stretched
upon a table. Blue surgical gloves
poke at your head. Electrodes buzzing
You lived, they will never know how.
You wanted to come home and be finally loved.
Would you kill to be something, like
they killed you for your story
but found nothing?