A/N: as per chapter one. I have added a note on the structure of this form at the end, for anyone who is interested.
Thanks to Brazeau for reviewing (I presume you know your PMing is blocked), sagredo for comments on this poem, and Stutley Constable for the description of Watson as "stalwart" (Have a look at his excellent SH fic and SH/treasure island/pirates of the caribbean crossover if you can.)
Holmes and companions do not belong to me.
A pantoum
Relates to events at the start of "the adventure of the creeping man" Some lines are direct quotes from ACD. POV of Watson.
The Summons
"Come at once, if convenient"
It ends with his initialled name.
He assumes I'm quite obedient.
"If inconvenient, come all the same."
~o~
It ends with his initialled name;
My summons back to Baker Street.
"If inconvenient, come all the same."
The same old Holmes, the same conceit.
~o~
My summons back to Baker Street;
A trip made countless times before.
The same old Holmes, the same conceit;
But does he need me any more?
~o~
A trip made countless times before;
A well-loved and familiar place.
But does he need me any more?
What help can I be to his case?
~o~
A well-loved and familiar place;
The memories I'd left behind.
What help can I be to his case?
A useful whetstone for his mind.
~o~
The memories I'd left behind;
Our fireside chairs, a welcome sight.
A useful whetstone for his mind?
A constant point; conducting light.
~o~
Our fireside chairs, a welcome sight;
His violin, his pipes and rack.
A constant point; conducting light?
A stalwart friend to watch his back.
~o~
His violin, his pipes and rack;
He knows what my response will be.
A stalwart friend to watch his back?
My partner still depends on me.
~o~
He knows what my response will be;
He assumes I'm quite obedient.
My partner still depends on me.
I'll come at once! It's always convenient.
~o~
End
a/n2: The pantoum (a Malayan form) has no set length. Consists of 4 line verses/stanzas. One pair of rhyming couplets from the first verse is repeated in a different position in the second, 2 new lines are added, and this is repeated through each verse. The final verse uses the first and third line from the first verse, so that the last line is adapted from the first. This means that every rhyming couplet is used twice.