Here are postcards from captivity, written

in a childlike hand in Arabic,

Albanian, Igbo, Pashtu, Urdu,

Masalit, Yoruba, French, English…

Dear Mr People Smuggler, You lured me

across a dangerous sea with the promise

of Mickey Mouse and all my favourites

on the walls of the detention centre

where I am now. They have been painted over.

PS I know they were here. If I squint

I can just see some of Donald Duck’s beak…

Dear King Charles, I know you are an artist.

Please come here and repaint Mickey Mouse

when you have a moment in your busy

opening of flower shows and other things.

Thank you, Your Majesty. PS Someone here

has told me that, though you are Head of State,

you have no power. I cannot believe this.

I know you are a very, very rich man…

Dear God, On the television that plays

all day with no sound or subtitles high up

in the empty recreation room,

was a map of this country with dots

and photos of children my age with rickets.

How can this be here? PS Please send Angels

to bring Mickey and the others back to life…