inspired by Fandango’s One Word Challenge (FOWC) of 17 July 2021, realm.

Touring kingdom, king passed by some trees
Breathed in pollen and gave a great sneeze
His knees started to swell,
Then he let out a yell,
He had come down with Dutch Realm Disease.

Dutch Elm Disease is a fungus which attacks mainly elm trees, often with fatal consequences. It gets around, spreading through both Europe and North America, although it is thought to have originated in Asia. It only acquired the name Dutch because it was first pinpointed by Dutch botanists in the 1920s.

---