Demelza Dhotel

01/09/2026

Love this poem, brilliantly performed by the wonderful Rowan McCabe- Poet (AKA the "Door to Door Poet'

Rowan is heading out on tour with his brilliant new poetry show 'Hardknocks' this September and I'm thrilled to be supporting him as a 'Special Guest' at his show at the Friarage Theatre in Yarm on September 20th.

I shall pop the ticket link in the comments.

It's going to be a great night!
Do come along! ✨💜

01/09/2026

~September's Softness~

It's now September and there's a subtle shift in the air.
Its gentle breath, cool and crisp cuts through
the last vestiges of warmth, caressing my skin,
as it softly moves through loose strands of my hair.

I sit in the sanctuary of my garden and look around.
Petals from my beautiful flowers now falling.
The green of the trees now fading, turning to brown,
dropping, without sound to the ground.

Above, the swallows and the swifts start to gather
together on branches and telephone wires-
as if planning their route to warmer climes.
Trilling in conversation, they warble, chirp and chip.

Though, I may feel a certain sadness-
as summer to autumn begins to loosen its grip.
I focus my thoughts upon autumn's own magic.
Pen in hand, I take a savouring sip.

Its earthy, distinct taste, upon my lips centers me.
Whilst the vibrance of summer, expands my energy.
I wanted so much to hold on to it, soak up...

each last moment,
every final minute...

But perhaps, in chasing the sun, we race.
Yet, autumn reminds us to reset, recoup.
Move at a gentler rhythm and pace.

For autumn holds its own beauty to embrace.

******
Poem © Demelza Dhotel. 2025
Beautiful Artwork by Lucy Grossmith

A little poem, A little poem to mark the start of autumn. I love the Spring and the Summer, but Autumn has its own wonder and beauty to behold.

I am looking forward to pumpkin spice lattes and brisk walks in the forest, with the leaves crunching beneath my feet.

As I prepare for upcoming performances and continue working on my latest collection, I shall be scheduling some of my posts over the next few weeks. Rather than replying to each comment, I shall comment on your page at the end of each day during this time. Thank you so much for your kindness and support. It means the world.

Wishing you all a delightful 1st September.
With love,
Demelza ✨🧡💚

31/08/2026

~Crossroads~

Life is full of waiting rooms
and forks in the road
of hoping our name will be called soon
of deciding which way our story next goes.

Though whilst patience is a virtue
maybe we shouldn't always wait too long.
For some crossroads require us to choose
before the path disappears and the moment is gone.

And at times, we'll see no road signs
and perhaps, it's true, there are no maps.
Even waiting lists don't always follow straight lines.
Sometimes, we'll have to retrace our steps, backtrack.

Regardless, we have to keep faith, decide anyway.
For we cannot divide ourselves.
We must choose one, our own road, unafraid.
And leave the other, perhaps, for someone else?

And maybe we won't know where it leads
or what we'll discover on our travels, along the way.
But when we meet a fork in the road in this life
what we need is the courage...

to find our North, our truth and stay.

******
© Demelza Dhotel. 2026.
Artist currently unknown.

Wishing you all a wonderful new week.
D.D 🤎🍂 x

30/08/2026

~Bow to the Rain~

You know, sometimes sadness...
Makes her arrival quite unexpectedly, as the rain.
The weather forecast predicted a 'mild and sunny day'
But instead, you're met with melancholy and pain.

She arrives uninvited, a lightning bolt from the blue.
You tell her to go away, come again another day.
When you'll know more what to do...
So you carry on and tell yourself, that you're ok.

But the rain, she won't listen.
You can't control the weather. It's true.
So tears fall from eyes that water and glisten. Sadness, has a role to play too.

Friends, offer an umbrella, when something isn't right.
They may ask how you're doing and if you're alright?
You reply that "you're fine", when really you aren't quite.
So they listen to you, or hold you tight.

Let the rain pour, knowing, if you do, she won't stay.
So long as you let her in,
feel every drop, without shame.
The clouds will clear, making way for brighter days.
For the sun will slowly seep through the clouds again.

After all, we need both the rain and the sun.
Working together as one.
Storms pass, they come and go.

But, always search for life's rainbows 🌈

******
Poem: © Demelza Dhotel. 2025.
Beautiful Artwork By Pete Rumney. (eBay)

This poem will be included in my next full collection, which will bring together many selected poems into one book.

28/08/2026

~Sturgeon Moon~

The moon glows differently, tonight.
Like an ancient coin, tossed into an ink blot sky.
I watch, as sturgeon leap, under its guiding light-
and just for a moment, they appear to gracefully fly.

The great lake looks so memorising, so peaceful.
Beautiful, yet powerfully persuasive.
Seaward bound it pulses and pulls,
moving enticingly with each rippling wave.

But the sturgeon, plentiful in their numbers.
Won't be so easily caught in the undertow.
Swimming counter-clockwise-
so as not to be cast asunder.
Adapting, rather than forcing against the flow.

And as I look up at the moon in all its fullness,
abundance and splendour.
Feeling lifted, as if I am floating, less stressed.
I wonder, perhaps whether...

If, like the sturgeon.

Who navigate through rough waters
with a certain intuitive grace.
we can learn a lesson from them?

When our unguarded thoughts we face.

***
Poem: © Demelza Dhotel. 2025.
Lovely artwork by Julianne Kathleen.

*This poem can be found in my book:
Songs to the Moon, Stars and Skies'

******
Sidenote: The "Sturgeon Moon" is a name traditionally given by North American tribes to the full moon that occurs in August. It's named after the large sturgeon fish that were at their most abundant during this time of year in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain.

The Sturgeon moon represents a time of letting your own intuition steer you in the right direction, forging your own path and adapting quickly during challenging times, in order to move forward. It is also a time, where we should take time to unwind and reflect upon our blessings.

I should add, tonight will be particularly special as there will be a Lunar eclipse.

Wishing a wonderful Friday.
Demelza ✨💙🌕

27/08/2026

'Happy International Dog Day'

Apologies, for the late post it's been a busy day. 😅
Prints are available in my art store.
(Link below and in bio)

D.D ✨💜🐾

Artwork: © Demelza's Art. 2026.

Link below

26/08/2026

✨Your love 🦋

Dolly, your love really was like a butterfly.
Everywhere you went, you spread joy and hope.
you taught us the power of having the courage to try.
and showed us how to transform, change and grow.

You showed us, humble beginnings don't define.
Wore your golden, glittering heart upon your sleeve.
Painted your wings in colours of your own design
and showed us we too, can spread our wings
when we work hard and believe.

Dolly, your love was like a butterfly, it's true.
Heard in each lyric and beat of all your beautiful songs,
and all the ways you spread compassion too.
Empowering us to know that we all belong.

You gave wings to young minds,
through the magic of storytelling and books,
helping them bloom and find
new possibilities beyond the pages, once overlooked.

And now, you've had to fly on high,
leaving trails of rhinestones
sparkling forever in our hearts and in the sky.
Heaven has called another of its angels home.

And every time we miss you.
We shall listen to your wise songs
and ask ourselves...

What would Dolly do?
For we will always love you...

© Demelza Dhotel. 2026
Photograph: Dolly Parton

***
Written in tribute to Dolly Parton. 🦋🌹

25/08/2026

I’m very excited to announce that I’ve been invited by the wonderful Rowan McCabe- Poet to be a special guest at his 'Hard Knocks' Tour show at The Friarage Theatre in Yarm on September 20th.

I’ll be travelling down after taking part in the Morecambe Poetry Festival on the 19th September which I'm also really excited about!

Thank you so much Rowan for inviting me. It’s such an honour. I’m incredibly grateful and really looking forward to it.✨💜

I shall put the ticket link in the comments.
Hope to see some of you there! ☺️💫

📢 🥳 I'm going on tour! 📢 🥳

I'm very excited to announce that I'm taking Hard Knocks, my new show of poetry and comedy, to the furthest flung regions I can manage on public transport. It's a collection of some of the most unusual stuff that's happened to me in my career as a Door-to-Door Poet and beyond. There's stories of mistaken identity, a time travelling public official and an ode to a rebellious snail. It's about the interesting things that can happen when we talk to strangers.

As well as that, I'm going to be joined by a whole gaggle of belter support acts and special guests. It's going to be a big old poetry party and you are all very much invited. Bring a friend. Bring loads of them. Come and see the shell of a man I've become since having a baby. There will be chips... maybe.... Head to my website for more details.

https://rowanthepoet.com/home/upcoming-gigs/