Mrs. Hudson's Poetry Page: The Reigate Squires

[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 the alexandrine couplet.

Merriam-Webster gives this definition of an alexandrine:

A line of verse of 12 syllables consisting regularly of 6 iambs with a caesura after the third iamb.

That is: te TUM, te TUM, te TUM [pause] te TUM, te TUM, te TUM.

As “twelve” is significant in this week’s story, I thought this might be an appropriate form to try.

Here is my example poem, inspired by my dismay over Mr. Holmes’s health when he returned from France. (I have managed the syllable count and attempted the caesura but unfortunately there is not an iamb in sight):


Think of the landlady: Mister Holmes, you shocked ‘er!
Stay healthy on cases; take along your Doctor.



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:

221B verselet, abecedarian poetry, acrostic poetry, alexandrine, blackout poetry, call and response, cinquain, circular poetry, clerihew, colour poems, concrete poetry, diamante, doggerel, double dactyl, epigram, epulaeryu, fable, haiku, limerick, palindrome poetry, riddle, sedoka, sestina, sonnet, tanka, tercet, terza rima, tongue twister poetry, triolet, tyburn, villanelle


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


Warm regards,

Mrs. Hudson

Comments

An alexandrine couplet

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Maupertuis and a Firm, Sumatra’s where it’s at.
This man’s colossal schemes: was one of them a rat?

Re: An alexandrine couplet

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I have received a postcard from the rat, from which I understand he is happily sunbathing and not involved.

Re: An alexandrine couplet

[debriswoman]

Undoubtedly:-p
In shades and hat?

Re: An alexandrine couplet

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Good catch!

2 x 221B

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Robbery prevented
Hero killed
Villain:
Burglar

Robbers discovered
Reveal threatened
Murdered:
Blackmailer

Re: 2 x 221B

[debriswoman]

Sums it up beautifully:-)

Re: 2 x 221B

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

That is excellent ^^ It's like a crossover with a sedoka, isn't it? It's such a clever idea of yours to have the "before" and "after" - Holmes revealing the truth behind the plot.

Re: An Alexandrine

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Sombre and to the point - I especially admire "death, shame and misery".

Re: An Alexandrine

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Very neat use of the form.

The poetry of Mrs H

[debriswoman]

Wise words, ma'am:-)

Re: The poetry of Mrs H

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think so. Unfortunately Mr. Holmes rarely listens to me...

This is just to say

[rachelindeed.livejournal.com]

Ha ha! This week's story, one of my favorites, has reminded me of two famous poems, one by William Carlos Williams, and the other a brilliantly funny response poem written by Erica-Lynn Gambino. Here is the initial poem, This is Just to Say (https://enchantedground.wordpress.com/2013/12/04/this-is-just-to-say/), and here is the response, For William Carlos Williams, in response to This is Just to Say (https://enchantedground.wordpress.com/2014/10/05/this-is-just-to-say-ii-2/).

In that spirit, here is a Holmesian poem in Williams' style:

This is just to say

I have upset
a bowl of oranges
toppled them down
rather like

I upset you
when I toppled
to the ground
at your feet

Forgive me
It was expedient
and you are
so obliging


- SH

Re: This is just to say

[debriswoman]

Thank you for the links to the originals
Your version is wonderful:-)

Re: This is just to say

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Slightly taken aback to find that I do actually know the William Carlos Williams poem - I don't know that much about poetry really ^^"

I love your satirical Holmesian take on it. You've absolutely caught the style. Especially the last verse - that apology that isn't an apology at all. "I'm sorry for doing it but it was best for me, you see." The "you are/ so obliging" makes me laugh so much ^_^

I must give Holmes his due though - that double use of "upset" and "toppled" is most clever :P

Re: This is just to say

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

An absolute plum of an offering!

I feel obliged to inform you

[rachelindeed.livejournal.com]

And here is a Watsonian reply in Gambino's style:


I feel obliged to inform you

You
can take
your own damn train
back to London

I shall remain here
until the urge
to punch you
has diminished

Forgive me
I’d hate to make
a pretty mess
of the carpet

again
by wiping
the floor
with you

- John Watson

Re: I feel obliged to inform you

[debriswoman]

Again...excellent...and so restrained:-)

Re: I feel obliged to inform you

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

(Go, Watson...)

Have to say that your poem is even funnier than the Gambino one ^_^ Watson's "apology" is utterly brilliant.

Thank you for taking part this week - and with such wonderful poems!

Re: I feel obliged to inform you

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

What a brilliant pair of poems. I sympathise wholeheartedly with Watson.

Re: I feel obliged to inform you

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Bravo, Watson! Let me know if you want someone to hold your coat...

[rachelindeed.livejournal.com]

When I mentioned today's poetry to my husband, he said, "You know, for The Reigate Squires you should really write a poem with half the words missing." He was so right. Here's a little poem in which Holmes and Watson fill in their alternate words:

My...........[dear]
friend.......[we]
can..........[solve]
all..........[mysteries]
.....together.

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

That's a far sweeter example of two men working together ^^

And how lovely to get a bonus poem from you ^_^

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

That's lovely. Great idea of your husband's.

Doggerel: In the style of Kipling’s “Oak and Ash and Thorn”

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Of all the roots of all the crimes
In London (small or grand),
Greater are none beneath the sun
Than Gold and Love and Land.

Gold and Love and Land, my boy.
For nearly each crime that’s planned,
The cause that’s put when the game’s afoot
Is Gold or Love or Land.

For money you’ll find so many inclined
To murder and robbery both;
Heartbreak can drive a man to strive
For Rache, to keep his oath.
A claim to estate arouses hate
In those who would keep their strand:
Trace back every thread, and it ends dead
In Gold or Love or Land.

It’s Gold or Love or Land, my dear.
Write it as clear as you can:
The cause that’s put when the game’s afoot
Is Gold or Love or Land!

Re: Doggerel: In the style of Kipling’s “Oak and Ash and Thorn”

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

(*discreetly goes and reads Kipling's poem*) Thank you for stating which poem your poem is based on - unfortunately, not all of us are quite as well-read as you... ^^ (^^")

I really like: A claim to estate arouses hate/ In those who would keep their strand, and of course the couplet that ends the first and last verses.