User blog:Pinguinus/Fan Theory on the Poem in ''Time of the Doctor''

Spoilers for Doctor Who from Time of the Doctor to Season 8

Remember that oddly on-the-nose poem from Time of the Doctor about Eleven's regeneration?

And now it's time for one last bow

Like all your other selves.

Eleven's hour is over now

The clock is striking Twelve's.

When I heard it in the trailers, I assumed that Tasha Lem or someone else knowledgeable about the Doctor's life had written it. It's a little too perfect for Eleven's regeneration to be just a random poem found in a party favor from the 21st century, right?

Wrong. That's exactly where Clara found it. My theory? The poem didn't randomly fall into Clara's hands. It was placed there. Someone with the capability to time travel arranged for it to be sent, as a personal message to the Doctor. And who would that be?

Missy.

While one of the Doctor's oldest enemies, Missy has maintained in seasons 8 and 9 that she considers herself the Doctor's friend. And what value is a friend who doesn't try to comfort you in your darkest hour? She knew that Eleven's prospects for survival looked bleak, and that he firmly believed that he was at the end of his final life. She couldn't contact him directly, since she needed to maintain the timeline and ensure Twelve wouldn't recognize her. So she sent him a poem, writing it herself, murdering her way to the top of a party favor manufacturing plant, and using the magic of time travel to ensure Clara would carry it to the Doctor.

It's up for debate whether Eleven recognized the hint for what it was, but I like to think it kindled a bit of hope in him. I also like this because it lends a bit of extra complexity to Missy.