sherlock60 | Mrs. Hudson's Poetry Page: The Sign of Four, Chaps. 7

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Mrs. Hudson's Poetry Page: The Sign of Four, Chaps. 7 - 12

Welcome once again to my poetry page!

I hope each week you will read Dr. Watson’s delightful narrative and then be inspired to write a poem related to it in some way. All forms of poetry are permitted, and further down the page there is a selection you might like to consider using over the coming weeks.

This week my featured form is one of my own devising: the 221B verselet.

This is a tribute to the 221B ficlet—a form of writing that some of Mr. Holmes’ admirers like to indulge in. (I do feel sorry for Mr. Holmes on occasion. They are on the whole charming girls but sometimes he has only to step out of the front door for a group of young ladies to surround him, furiously sketch him, and then stampede to the Post Office to post the pictures to their friends.)

My definition for the 221B verselet:

A poem four lines long—the first line having 2 words, the second line having 2 words, the third line having 1 word and the fourth line having 1 word, beginning with ‘b’.

So only six words in total. But you appreciate a bit of minimalism in your poetry writing when simultaneously having to cope with your tenant setting fire to the curtains.

Here is my example:

Treasure lost.
Treasure found:
Watson’s
Bride.

As always, this is simply something to consider for the future. Any form of poetry is welcome this week—and every week! Here are a few suggestions for you:

acrostic poetry, clerihew, epigram, haiku, limerick, palindrome poetry, sedoka, sestina, sonnet, tanka, terza rima, tongue twister poetry, triolet, tyburn, villanelle

Please leave all your poems inspired by The Sign of Four in the comments on this post. I look forward to seeing them!

Warm regards,

Mrs. Hudson

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

“Better have your ham and eggs first." (Chap. 8)

Would you like some eggs and ham?

No, I do not want some, John-I-am.

Would you have some for the case?
To get you ready for the chase?

I will not have some for the case.
There’s grouse and oysters for the chase!
I do not want them, John-I-am.
I do not want the eggs and ham!

Would you like them in the cab?
Here’s a plate for you to grab!

I will not have them in the cab.
There’s nothing there I want to grab.
I do not want them, John-I-am!
I’m too full up for eggs and ham!

Say! On the wharf?
Here on the wharf?
Would you, could you on the—?

Just get on the damn boat, Watson.

But would you eat them while afloat?
Would you eat them on the boat?

I will not eat them while afloat!
I will not eat them on the boat!
The fugitives are on the run!
I’m trying to aim my bloody gun!

You have no time, so you say,
But try them and you may.
Try them and you may, I say.

Fine!
Though they’re not at all appealing.
Look! The eggs are all congealing!
Oh dear God, please give me air.
Now here comes the mal de mer...

[Sounds of unseemly retching.]

Oooo…
Watson. I did not want them for the case.
I did not need them for the chase.
I did not want them on the boat!
I did not want them while afloat!
Afloat… Oh God…

[More sounds of unseemly retching.]

(Urrrgh…) I really hate you, John-I-am.
You’ve turned me green with eggs and ham.

Entirely wonderful:-)
"applause"

Edited 2015-02-01 09:20 (UTC)

Re: Dr. Seuss Parody

scfrankles.livejournal.com - 2015-02-01 15:16 (UTC) - Expand

Brilliant. Poor Holmes!

Re: Dr. Seuss Parody

scfrankles.livejournal.com - 2015-02-01 15:17 (UTC) - Expand

I don't think I've heard of Dr. Seuss. Is he a colleague of Dr. Watson..?

*cackles* Dear persistent Watson. Then again, how was he to know Holmes was prone to seasickness? This was delightful- thank you!

Re: Dr. Seuss Parody

scfrankles.livejournal.com - 2015-02-01 18:30 (UTC) - Expand

Bravo! That was delightful!

(Poor Holmes!)

Re: Dr. Seuss Parody

scfrankles.livejournal.com - 2015-02-02 00:43 (UTC) - Expand

(deleted comment)

Excellent interpretation of the 221B verse.

Re: 221B verselet

debriswoman - 2015-02-01 15:45 (UTC) - Expand

That is perfect.

You know, I was wondering whether I should put in the definition that 221B verselets did not rhyme. But then I thought there was always the slight possibility they could. And you've done it!

Excellent!

Re: 221B verselet

debriswoman - 2015-02-01 15:46 (UTC) - Expand

A very neat little coup.

Re: 221B verselet

debriswoman - 2015-02-01 18:12 (UTC) - Expand

I don't know what's more impressive here, the wit or the use of rhyme in so few words. Regardless, this is fantastic! Brava!

Re: 221B verselet

debriswoman - 2015-02-01 18:13 (UTC) - Expand

That sums up what turned out to be a rather complex plot quite succinctly! I love the rhyming element as well. :)

Re: 221B verselet

debriswoman - 2015-02-02 06:13 (UTC) - Expand

Pretty much the perfect 221b. Wow.

Re: 221B verselet

debriswoman - 2015-02-07 02:35 (UTC) - Expand

(deleted comment)

This is absolutely lovely.

Re: Here's one I wrote earlier...Mary Deduced.

debriswoman - 2015-02-01 15:48 (UTC) - Expand

Oh, Holmes' best man speech...

This is gorgeous. So touching but still very much Holmes' voice - his understated affection for the couple and a little bit of humour coming through. And your poem is so subtly done - I didn't realise at first that this was the wedding day.

I can imagine a little pause after "Poise, courage, hope and grace", while everyone pretends they have something in their eye. And then that's a wonderful toast to end on.

Re: Here's one I wrote earlier...Mary Deduced.

debriswoman - 2015-02-01 15:49 (UTC) - Expand

Bravo! I bet Holmes would have loved this crib sheet at the wedding.

Re: Here's one I wrote earlier...Mary Deduced.

debriswoman - 2015-02-01 18:14 (UTC) - Expand

Oh excellent! I love the way the final stanza reveals the reason for the well-versed admiration. Well done- this is fabulous!

Re: Here's one I wrote earlier...Mary Deduced.

debriswoman - 2015-02-01 18:16 (UTC) - Expand

Splendid job! This definitely sounds like a poem Holmes would write in honor of the occasion. Love it!

Re: Here's one I wrote earlier...Mary Deduced.

debriswoman - 2015-02-02 06:14 (UTC) - Expand

Toby took the route
That followed the trail of tar
First came a barrel
Afterwards the landing stage
The house of Mordecai Smith

(Just had to look up tankas ^^")

Elegantly done ^^

Re: Tanka

thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com - 2015-02-01 17:12 (UTC) - Expand

Neatly done:-)

Re: Tanka

thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com - 2015-02-01 17:15 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Tanka

mundungus42.livejournal.com - 2015-02-01 17:51 (UTC) - Expand

Ooo, I quite like the 221b.

Rebels, conspirators,
Fathers, sons,
Treasure:
Buried.

tardisjournal.livejournal.com - 2015-02-02 00:23 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Clerihew: A Small Snack

mundungus42.livejournal.com - 2015-02-02 21:10 (UTC) - Expand

221B verselet: The Creasote Conundrum

Two trails,
Suddenly! What
A
Bitch.

Apologies to Mrs. Hudson and readers of refined sensibilities for the salty language. The writer is a foreigner and an American to boot. A certain coarseness of speech is natural to them.

Edited 2015-02-01 21:02 (UTC)

"Salty language", dear? I am afraid I do not quite understand... And Toby is a male dog, not a bitch.

Now, you must not be too upset about being an American. Not everyone can be English and Mr. Holmes does speak very highly of your country. Incidentally, is "creasote" the American spelling for "creosote"?

(:P Remember to always put your glasses on before attempting typing.)