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Doctor Wha

James Robertson

Wha’s Doctor Wha? Wha better kens nor he
that jouks the yetts and rides the birlin wheels
o time and space, shape-shiftin as he reels
through endless versions o reality?
Bit dis he ken himsel? Weel, mibbe sae,
yet wha’s tae ken gin aw that’s kent by Wha
maks mair or less or better sense ava
nor whit we ithers ken, or think we dae?
The universe is fou o parallels:
wha’s like us? Hunners? Thoosans? We oorsels
micht be mere glisks o life-forms yet tae be.
Whit’s real? Whaur’s here? When’s noo? Wha’s quick or deid?
Wha’s jist a thoctie in anither’s heid?
Wha’s Doctor Wha? Wha better kens nor s/he?


James Robertson

Reproduced by permission of the author.

Tags:

change Doctor Who National Poetry Day 2018 science fiction Scots

About this poem

This poem was selected for National Poetry Day 2018.

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Doctor Wha

This poem is one of the poems selected for National Poetry Day 2018, on the theme of change. ‘Wha’s Doctor Wha? James Robertson wonders what’s really real in this universe ‘fou o parallels’.
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James Robertsonb.1958

A poet and award-winning novelist, James Robertson is also a publisher of poetry and of children’s books in Scots which provide a lively introduction to Scots-language literary heritage.
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