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?

2 x 221B

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Robbery prevented
Hero killed
Villain:
Burglar

Robbers discovered
Reveal threatened
Murdered:
Blackmailer

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: 2 x 221B

[debriswoman]

Sums it up beautifully:-)

The poetry of Mrs H

[debriswoman]

Wise words, ma'am:-)

Re: An alexandrine couplet

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to have the reassurance that the rat had nothing to do with the Baron ^^

Re: An alexandrine couplet

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

The things that rat gets up to... ^_^

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: The poetry of Mrs H

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

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

Re: An Alexandrine

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

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

Re: An alexandrine couplet

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

How else would he be attired?

Re: 2 x 221B

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

Re: 2 x 221B

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you. The two "Bs" leant themselves to the idea.

Re: An Alexandrine

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Very neat use of the form.

Re: An alexandrine couplet

[debriswoman]

:-)

Re: An Alexandrine

[debriswoman]

Thank you...not really qualities to admire, though...

Re: An Alexandrine

[debriswoman]

Thank you:-)

Re: The poetry of Mrs H

[debriswoman]

*hands across an appropriate volume of gin*

Re: The poetry of Mrs H

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Not sure the average woman could lift the appropriate volume of gin...

Re: An Alexandrine

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

*gives poet-chum very hard stare* I was in fact admiring your wielding of the words... (:P)

Re: An Alexandrine

[debriswoman]

Oh, good, thank you...was afraid my poem was being a very bad influence
:-p

Re: The poetry of Mrs H

[debriswoman]

Mrs H, you are many things..."the average woman" is not one of them.

Re: The poetry of Mrs H

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the encouragement, Mrs. P!

I'll just go and slice up a lemon...

Re: An alexandrine couplet

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

I love both the question and answer.