from PENNILESS POETS OF ISLINGTON

by Geoffrey Gatza

 

                 the singular affair of the aluminum crutch

In that one historical event—the most important event in human history
it was in a cabin
all gold and bronze with the fading ferns
a game score card
you know he
wouldn’t fake a war injury
with a new film every few years. In 1903
which I am highly accustomed. 

where my pipe is now resting
what is story with Watson’s military service
we must live for him—in his presence
we have Watson’s love for Holmes and that sole viewpoint of admiration

Watson! said Holmes at last with an unsteady voice

Watson confides that when Holmes was bored and his mind not challenged
then whatever remains
imitate the action of the tiger; stiffen the sinews

the only selfish action which I can recall in our association.
I was alone. Now where was I? Oh yes
the Napoleon of crime
the icky part is when the young girl wears a yellow mask and gloves
sweat and mustard. Love is obsession for little boys in men’s bodies.
I agree it doesn’t seem to bounce or square as evenly as Hamlet or The Aeneid
so he moved from here to there as these things so often do

                 the amateur mendicant society

Watson works because he is imperfect

well
whatever remains
wheelchair to guilt a wandering woman from her fortune then kill her burying her
when confronted with the many sorrows of this world
when Sherlock’s dead body was restored to life—the whole world was given hope
which one can only guess as to why
which was fun but only so-so.

Watson’s admiration and willingness to show how Holmes wins while He fails.

A perfect loop of success You can mark me down an ass this time
who
who knew that Dogs fought Apes like cats and dogs.

understood how a horse would behave

I owe you both my thanks and an apology.
It was an unjustifiable experiment even for one’s self

                 wilson, the notorious canary-trainer

One chair lying on its back in the centre.

We are an grotesque people
an ugly
face twisted like a lost soul in torment
described by Holmes as the Napoleon of Crime
T. S. Eliot would later use the same phrase
though he is largely forgotten, 
His name lives on because of Sherlock Holmes.
And you know that must piss him off

Perhaps the scent is not so cold but that two old hounds 
like Watson and myself may get a sniff of it. 
In this early stage I want you to realize these geographical features
test-tubes and retorts.  In the corners stood carboys of acid in wicker baskets.

as mutes or audience to this act
he took cocaine
a picture of the ‘Sea Unicorn’
and that ghastly benediction
Away from my Grandmother’s eyes
As she greeted passing guests at his funeral.
Like a switch of papers out of a scene in The Second Stain
for a stream of dark-coloured liquid had trickled out from it.

                 vamberry, the wine merchant

Be copy now to men of grosser blood

a mutually fatal showdown at Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland.

Doyle received letters from readers who wept from men
wearing black mourning bands; one letter began

to describe MaCavity the Cat in Old Possum
There are small windows on each side

Professor Moriarty is so popular
mundane and outrageous, yes
gay relationships are hinted at

                 ricoletti of the club foot and his abominable wife

You, old English. Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-spoofs!
Fathers your farm is fertile; you are swill in your sins.

To those who have fallen asleep in Sussex the vampire will eat you.
You are lost for this life; have hope in your little gray cells.

Corpora lente augescent cito extinguuntur.         Bodies grow slowly and die quickly.
Omne ignotum pro magnifico est.                           We have great notions of everything unknown.
Pessimus inimicorum genus                                     and so on …

Paul understood the centrality of the resurrection and
The inconsistencies that arise in all stories.

                 the nonpareil club card scandal

Give me the cup: let go; by heaven
Christmas
Moriarty is a criminal mastermind
and you see also there is no side-road for a mile either way.

“I ought to make you sign a paper to that effect.” “Why?”
“Because in five minutes you will say that it is all so absurdly simple.” 

Doyle received £1
cut up into small fields

by the chalk marks on his hand.

Singularly wonderful, it is like having the wax bust
waiting for Sebastian Moran’s airgun to fire a snub
nosed revolver bullet in through the window.

 

 

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