Author:Jessica Jones

What is it about the Brits and toilet humor, at which they seem to excel? And now, as the famous American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald once noted: “Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas (or, as in this case, M.D.s) do it.”

Fragrant Aunt Nellie and 99 Other Short Poems to Read in the Loo: A Light-hearted Look at Modern Life looks at the many whimsical and idiosyncratic eccentricities of life as led by the modern Brit, with many a nostalgic look backwards, from a retired medical doctor’s point of view. The book, in short, is a delight—if you can enjoy the British sense of sardonic wit that seems to underlie their every movement and motion in life (both literally and figuratively speaking), you will love this collection of relatively short, but always fringing on the risible, poems to be read wherever you want to spend a few minutes relaxing and escaping from the stresses of modern life, even if those moments can only be attained by plonking one’s behind down on the most essential part of any workplace or home.

Jones’ poems poke fun at a range of topics, stretching from sagging skin to pouting politicians. Some of them are expanded lists of objects and names, including TV detectives, smells, dogs and computers. Others express the poet’s predilection for, or dislike of, certain aspects of society. “Flavours and Textures,” for instance, lists her favorite types of food and drink, while “Music” indicates Jones’ intense dislike for the seemingly omnipresent Muzak. Her medical background comes to the fore in such verses as “Eponymous Anatomy” and “Periodic Table,” though, let me assure you, she is never, ever snobby about her professional acumen. Taking a somewhat cynical view of life as it is led today makes her writing all the wittier and more accessible, especially to those of us who are somewhat jaded by old age. In many of the poems (including “Good for Your Age” and “Never Been Airbrushed”) she laughs at the advancing decrepitude of her own body. Modern technology also has a considerable role to play in Jones’ verse, showing her familiarity with the latest devices, yet distancing herself from their overuse, especially among the youngsters of today. “The Instagram Eyebrow” and “Selfies” are two such poems. Not only does she poke fun at herself, but also at her oft-deemed sacrosanct profession, as in “Doctors’ Writing.” Quite frankly, Jones has no illusions about life, which is why her poetry is so much fun. Even when she’s giving some sound advice in poetic form, such as “Be a Good Patient,” the tone is witty and offbeat. I’m thinking, as many readers will no doubt do, now why can’t she be my G.P.? Life just isn’t fair, is it?

This book of verse is ideal loo reading, and travels well, even if some of the wording is very Brit. Which American, for instance, does not know (and probably envy) the NHS (National Health Service, for anyone who doesn’t). I plan to pass my copy on to a friend of mine who is an expat, and who I know will wallow in the humor. Don’t buy just one copy, buy two or three, and give the others to those you know will enjoy Jones’ special blend of home-brewed Geordie tea!