a/n: "The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier" is on of a very few number of tales penned by Holmes himself.
"The good Watson had deserted me for a wife, the only selfish action I can recall in our association. I was alone"-ACD.
Lost Without my Boswell?
When writing up a case
I do not need romantic flourishes.
The pure and unembellished truth
Is what sustains and nourishes.
My words are straight and true
My focus, only on veracity;
With words like pertinacious
And indeed, like pertinacity.
A tale with neat beginning,
Simple middle, and an end.
In clear and measured paragraphs,
Each one precisely penned...
~0~
You would not get such sharp,
Concise narration from my friend.
~0~
So, first an introduction to
My military client.
It truly is a novelty
To be so self-reliant.
It was, however, selfish
Of dear Watson to be wed;
I'm sure he'd rather be here
Taking journal notes instead.
Now, here is where surprise
At my deductions should be penned...
It's hard to write amazement
From one viewpoint, I contend.
~0~
This does not mean I'm missing
Admiration from my friend.
~0~
I'm not entirely happy
With the way that first scene went;
I came across as rather smug;
That wasn't my intent.
And though I am well known
For my unrivalled observations,
I seem to keep returning to
First person conversations.
I criticised poor Watson
For the poetry he penned...
Perhaps, yes, just perhaps
I had slight cause to condescend.
~0~
Of course I'm not suggesting
I dealt harshly with my friend.
~0~
The client's story told,
I'll now move swiftly to the action;
My brilliant conclusion
And my client's awed reaction;
That moment when my keen
Detective work is celebrated;
Although, on closer scrutiny
The ending seems deflated.
That last dramatic fainting scene
Was really not well penned...
Perhaps I've reached the point
When I'll admit I comprehend
~0~
The skill in telling stories,
And the value of my friend.
~0~