Who Was Dandelion Fred?

“Dear Mother,” said Poppy, oh so sweetly  –
“When you were young – six, or more….”
She folded her napkin, oh so neatly,
Slid off her chair and onto the floor.

Gazing at mother, undismayed -
“….A tiny, hairy friend you knew.”
“In your room I’m told it stayed!”
“Mother” said Poppy, “tell me true – “

“He said you fed it beetle wings.”
“It had creepy legs and a staring eye…”
“Your Grandpa says such silly things!”
“Just sit down and finish your pie!”

“Jonathan, by name.” Grandpa said.
Poppy smiled, oh such fun!
“And who was Dandelion Fred?”
“Was he Frederick Aloysius Noilly-Crun?

“My Grandpa’s so zany, so wacky, so dizzy!”
“Poppy dear, too much you’ve said!”
“That’s enough – I’m far too busy!”
“It’s time for you to go to bed!”

Grandpa
XXX

30 May 2014



This poem was written for a granddaughter, Poppy.  The origin of ‘Dandelion Fred’ was made clear in photographs originally attached to the poem, one of which showed Poppy’s mother at the age of six clutching a very large sunflower (the ‘dandelion’ of the poem), the other a ‘Happy Birthday!’ advertisement in the local Stourbridge paper wishing Frederick Aloysious Noilly-Crun a Happy 6th Birthday.  Why Fred?  As a family of six going on holiday meant three by mini and three by public transport – but why Fred?  How do you take a six-year old daughter into a gent’s loo unless dressed more as a boy and called - ? Yes, ‘Fred’……….