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

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

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

Comments

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

"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.)

[tardisjournal.livejournal.com]

Erm, yes, well, I think I'll let the poem speak for itself and not attempt to explain any further. :-p

I, am I'm sure all of my fellow Americans, appreciate your and Mr. Holmes's kind words. In my experience not everyone shares your progressive opinions!

Heck no, in America we slap a K on it and call it "kreosote!"

Just kidding! While the substance is indeed commonly referred to as "creosote" here (as I assume it is in England) "creasote" was the spelling used in The Project Gutenberg Edition of "The Sign of the Four" that I read. (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2097/2097-h/2097-h.htm). The spelling looked odd to me as well, but further research indicated that it's an an archaic version of "creosote". Not having Dr. Watson's original published account on hand, I went with what my source said.

(Thank you for the advice! I confess I do have lousy vision which leads to awkward typos on a regular basis. In this case, however, the odd spelling was deliberate!)

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

I apologise profusely for my "humorous" implication that you had made a typo ^^ I didn't know there was another spelling - I am humbled and abashed. I hope we can still be friends. You're quite nice for an American ^_^

And I've just looked up creosote's etymology. Spelling it "creasote" makes it more faithful to its Greek origins. In fact, slapping a "k" onto it would make it even more faithful ^^ I wonder if at some point "creosote" was an incorrect spelling that stuck...

[tardisjournal.livejournal.com]

No offense taken! That was the classiest way I've ever had a suspected typo pointed out to me. I was just happy I actually hadn't committed the offense this time. I would be honored to be your friend. :)

My, that's a complicated etymology. Frankly, all of the spellings look strange to me. It's just one of those odd words, I guess. One for which I hope we don't have much need going forward!