Nanki-Poo has got into a temper,
Pitti-Sing's forgotten what to say,
Mrs. Dobson's dog has got distemper,
So she won't be on the stage today;

Ko-Ko isn't speaking to Lord Pooh-Bah,
Pooh-Bah was getting on his Titipus,
Wile Yum Yum has more hot air than a hookah
And nobody escapes her lofty views.

Yum Yum is played by Gladys, housewife/diva,
Who won't be told how she should play her part;
She's lobster-red from two weeks in Ibiza
And wears gaudy gold chains next to her heart.

Still we rehearse, with gusto and bravado,
With candles lit, as all the lights have gone.
All those not here are taking the Mikado,
We grit our teeth and say "the show goes on".

But curtain-up is one week from tomorrow
We can't afford too many bad mistakes
Adjust your wigs, forget the real world's sorrow
Come, singing, on the road that fancy takes.


© Sara L. Russell 20th January 2003.

This poem was written from a 6-word challenge to our local poetry group. The words were: stage, diva, lobster, lights, curtain, wig.