a/n: prompt from Agatha Doyle :- Write about Holmes and Watson's New Year's resolutions-

Holmes and companions do not belong to me.

Thanks to all who have read, or read and reviewed these challenge responses. I am really sad to reach the end of the series; it has been a real pleasure to take part, I did not think I would manage to stick to verse all the way through:-)

A huge thank you to Hades and Spockologist for such a wonderful idea:-)

Happy New Year to you all!

Resolutions

Baker Street;

It's almost midnight;

A new year waiting to begin.

Two old friends beside the fire;

One puts down his violin;

He waves a creased and crumpled note;

Unfolds the paper carefully.

"I've made a list of resolutions;

For everybody else; but me..."

~0~

Clients

~0~

If you'd like to be the client

In a great detective story.

Keep this single resolution;

Guaranteeing fame and glory.

Judging by the tales I've witnessed,

Stick to this quite clear advice:

If a choice of jobs is offered;

Take the one with highest price.

If forty pounds is what you'd hoped for,

And you're offered four times more;

Take that offer, don't consider

What the extra fee is for.

Midnight trips to fix hydraulics,

Plans to get your hair cut short,

Dictionary words to copy,

(Don't give this a second thought.)

Men with beards will track your movements;

You'll get mystery trips by carriage;

You may even get a bonus,

Somewhat unexpected, marriage.

~0~

However, if you'd like to keep your thumb,

And want a life more down to earth;

Resolve to take a job which offers

Precisely what you know you're worth.

~0~

Yarders

~0~

If you pound the streets of London;

Working as a Scotland Yarder;

Keeping me from taking part,

Will make your job a whole lot harder.

Resolve to treat me with respect;

Give me all the help I need.

Bear in mind that where you lose,

I, quite often, still succeed.

Let me test my whip on corpses,

Let me view each murder scene.

Don't let others get too close;

Keep every single clue pristine.

Don't expect great praise or fanfare,

If at times you get it right.

I may be rude and quite sarcastic;

(A cause of long sustained delight.)

~o~

Don't attempt to be too clever;

I'll be several steps ahead.

Keep your head and keep your temper

And I may credit you, instead.

~0~

Watson

~0~

My dearest Watson, keep at hand

Your army weapon all the time.

And don't resort to blackmail so that

You can help commit a crime.

Always keep spare shirt and toothbrush

Ready, should the need arise

And, when recording in your journal;

Facts please; don't romanticize.

Resolve to drag me out of trouble

If my plans become unstuck.

If you're faced with Killer Evans;

Next time, my dear fellow; duck!

If an urgent note presents

Please join me promptly, anywhere;

Even if the urgent need

Is simply that I'd like you there.

Attend at once when you are summoned,

Believe whatever scene you find.

Forgive me when I take advantage

Of your loyal, trusting mind.

~0~

Look impressed at my deductions

Never lose your sense of awe

And never stop reminding me

Precisely what a comrade's for.

~o~

Baker Street

Just after midnight

A brand new year has just begun.

Watson smiles at friend and partner;

"You've nearly covered

Everyone.

Allow me to complete the picture;

I've written resolutions, too.

Mine, of course, dear friend and partner

Apply directly just to you."

~o~

Holmes

~0~

Resolve to carefully consider

How your schemes affect your friend.

Would it hurt to keep me posted

Well before you reach the end?

Please don't send me word you're dying

Just to reinforce a trap.

This will stretch my tolerant nature

To its limits, my dear chap.

Don't assume I have a locum

Ready when you come to call.

Don't assume my patients matter

Not the slightest bit at all.

Please resolve to be polite

When summoning me to a case.

Don't assume I'll be prepared

To join you, any time and place.

If you send me back to Dartmoor,

Don't pretend you've stayed behind

While you choose a hut to live in,

Waiting there for me to find.

Please don't fake your death again;

Once was quite enough for me.

Please resolve to stop and think

What consequences there might be.

Do not even dream of taking

Risks entirely on your own.

I will never be the type

To let you face a foe alone.

Please don't dismiss important things

Which science and logic can't explain.

And don't forget, of course I've glimpsed

The heart you have, to match your brain.

~o~

And, lastly, there's the written word;

Resolve to try and understand

Just why I write adventures down

And get them published in "The Strand."

~0~

The firelight flickers round the room

As old friends raise their glasses high

In homage to the brand new year

And tales they know will never die.

~0~