I said this elsewhere, but it bears repeating here - I didn't know Les Barker, but I sure wish I had. His poetry and parodies graced many a festival and folk club in the UK. Imagine a cross between Ogden Nash and Flanders and Swann, with a dash of Terry Pratchett thrown in for good measure. He gave us such classics as "This Preying Mantis Is An Atheist," and the polar bear's post-Titanic lament, "Have You Got Any News of the Iceberg?" Thanks to Les for sharing his poetry freely and widely, and for the host of British folkies who helped it reach a wider audience. To all our mutual friends, my heart is with you today.

And for good measure, here's one of his poems, because even through the sorrow, reading and listening to his poetry I just can't help but laugh:


IT WAS THE SURPRISE, MORE THAN ANYTHING
(Les Barker)

It was the surprise, more than anything:
I was unlucky, it has to be said.
While passing a tall block of flats
A rabbit just missed my head.

It was the surprise, more than anything;
A rabbit doesn't weigh that much
And could not therefore have done me much damage;
No, it wasn't the rabbit, as such.

It was the surprise, more than anything;
I'd have been glad to cushion its fall
And was pleased to be told later
It was hardly injured at all.

I like to help animals;
I always do what I can; Oh,
It was the surprise, more than anything
And the fact it was playing a piano.

I remember the Warsaw Concerto;
My memory couldn't be clearer;
I couldn't see where it was coming from
But I knew it was getting nearer.

I wish I'd been hit by the rabbit
Because then the piano'd have missed;
I wish I'd been hit by the rabbit;
I used to be taller than this.

It was the surprise, more than anything;
I was speechless; I was; I was mute;
I wish I'd been hit by the rabbit;
I wish he'd been playing the flute.

I have caught a pianoforte:
I'm just glad he's not part of a band; oh,
It's no place to be on a Thursday,
On the end of a rabbit's glissando.

It was the surprise more than anything,
I thought as I lay on the floor;
I heard a sound and looked up
Which I should have done some time before.

"Have you seen a rabbit?" said the man;
"Is he down there? Did he fall?
He's passed all his piano exams
But has no sense of balance at all.”

It was the surprise more than anything,
I thought; but in time, a man recognises
The truth; it was the piano.
Pianos weigh more than surprises.