John Hollander

(Nous n'irons plus au bois) No more walks in the wood: The trees have all been cut Down, and where once they stood Not even a wagon rut Appears along the path Low brush is taking over. No more walks in the wood; This is the aftermath Of afternoons in the clover Fields where we once made love Then wandered home together Where the trees arched above, Where we made our own weather When branches were the sky. Now they are gone for good, And you, for ill, and I Am only a passer-by. We and the trees and the way Back from the fields of play Lasted as long as we could. No more walks in the wood.

“What’s the French for fiddle-de-dee?” “Fiddle-de-dee’s not English,” Alice replied gravely. “Whoever said it was,” said the Red queen ... What’s the French for “fiddle-de-dee”? But “fiddle-de-dee’s not English” (we Learn from Alice, and must agree). The “Fiddle” we know, but what’s from “Dee”? Le chat assis in an English tree? —Well, what’s the French for “fiddle-de-dench”? (That is to say, for “monkey wrench”) —Once in the works, it produced a stench What’s the Greek for “fiddle-de-dex”? (That is to say, for “Brekekekex”) —The frog-prince turned out to be great at sex. What’s the Erse for “fiddle-de-derse”? (That is to say, for “violent curse”?) —Bad cess to you for your English verse! What’s the Malay for “fiddle-de-day”? (That is to say, for “That is to say ...”) —...[There are no true synonyms, anyway ...] What’s the Pali for “fiddle-de-dally”? (That is to say, for “Silicon Valley”) —Maya deceives you: the Nasdaq won’t rally. What’s the Norwegian for “fiddle-de-degian”? (That is to say, for “His name is Legion”) —This aquavit’s known in every region. What’s the Punjabi for “fiddle-de-dabi”? (That is to say, for “crucifer lobby”) —They asked for dall but were sent kohl-rabi. What’s the Dutch for “fiddle-de-Dutch”? (That is to say, for “overmuch”) —Pea-soup and burghers and tulips and such. What’s the Farsi for “fiddle-de-darsi?” (That is to say for “devote yourself”—“darsi” In Italian—the Irish would spell it “D’Arcy”) Well, what’s the Italian for “fiddle-de-dallion”? (That is to say, for “spotted stallion”) —It makes him more randy to munch on a scallion. Having made so free with “fiddle-de-dee,” What’s to become now of “fiddle-de-dum”? —I think I know. But the word’s still mum.