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  • Dr Wha
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Dr 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

Tags:

21st century poems change feminism heroes & villains National Poetry Day 2018 science fiction Scots Scots scottish poems

About this poem

This poem was chosen for National Poetry Day 2018, for the theme of ‘change’.

Multimedia

Doctor Wha from Scottish Poetry Library on Vimeo.

Learning Resources

SQA Key: National 5        Higher
  • Dr Wha Teaching Notes

    Find our teaching notes for Dr Wha, one of our National Poetry Day 2018 poems, here.
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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.
More about James Robertson

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