POLITICS, war and injustice have often been the inspiration for protest poems.
But this week an Advertiser reader has ruffled feathers by inking a defiant rhyming attack on the name given to Dorking's new town mascot – by a six-year-old. Colin Burn felt inspired to pen his literary broadside after Friends of Dorking announced its giant cockerel would be named "Dorkers" at the suggestion of Harry Whitney, a St Martin's School pupil.
"It's not that I want to write in but am I the only one who thinks the town mascot's name is unimaginative, even puerile?" said Mr Burn.
"I'm very conscious of 'slagging off' a young lad's contribution but does anyone think 'Dorkers' was a worthwhile choice of name?"
Mr Burn instead suggests the mascot is renamed High Five Claude, in reference to Dorking chickens unusually having five-toed feet.
Reacting to the poem, Linda Smith, of Beresford Road, said: "I think people in this town need to seriously lighten up. The young boy should be proud of himself for winning the competition and I'm sure all the stuck-up people who are complaining didn't even bother to enter."
But Karen Worthing, of Chart Lane, said: "It sounds like the name of a bad TV show or a Butlin's-style caravan holiday. I think it is far too tacky a name to be associated with Dorking.
"Hopefully if this chicken ever crosses the road he doesn't make the other side."
'O Dear to DORKERS', by Colin Burn Our mascot is a rampant sight Decked out in feathers black and white Through orange beak we hear him 'Cluck' As he imparts to all 'Good Luck'. On both his feet claws number five Like no other cocks alive, Whilst there atop of that proud head A coxcomb sits, resplendent red. Romans brought him to this place; Much later Queen Vic thought him ace For breast and eggs. Whisper that we should, 'Cos 'e might take flight….if only 'e could. It's clear to all at town events The joy he brings by his presence. But why's he looking so distressed? It's calling him 'Dorkers'; he's unimpressed. It's enough to cause self-flagellation: A name so lacking in imagination. It might have been 'Dorky' or even 'Doodle': Names also devoid of very much noodle. The imperious chap deserves better for sure, A name which suits his distinctive fea-ture: Five on each foot have made him adored: They determine for all, his name should be 'CLAUDE'!